By Victor Kanayo
Tennis sensation Venus Williams has struck a historic feat in the WTA Tour-level singles match by becoming the second oldest woman to win at the Washington Open.
At the encounter, Williams, 45, beat Peyton Stearns, who is 23 years old, 6-3 6-4 in the first round.
She will now face Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech in the second round.
Broken History
Williams is the oldest woman to win a singles match on tour since Martina Navratilova at the age of 47 in 2004.
Seven-time singles Grand Slam winner Williams, who gained entry to the tournament via a wildcard, had not played since March 2024.
Williams, who won 14 Grand Slams in the doubles alongside sister Serena, last won a singles match in August 2023.
Although Williams never said she had retired, she was listed by the WTA as ‘inactive’ after 16 months out.
On Monday, she made her return in the doubles alongside compatriot Hailey Baptiste as they beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1 in the last 16.
