(Mason) Venus Williams beat a top-20 player for the first time in four years, coming back from behind in every set to win 6-4, 7-5 over Veronika Kudermetova at the Cincinnati tournament on Monday.
The 43-year-old Williams improved her record to 3-5 this year. She entered the tournament ranked 533rd in the world.
Williams trailed 4-1 in each of two sets, but came from behind converting six of nine break points in the game. The American also had to negotiate two interruptions due to the rain.
“I just thought I wanted to win that point. Not the game, just a point, said Williams, who advances to the second round in Cincinnati. When you break things down this way, big problems become small problems. That’s how I proceeded. »
The seven-time Grand Slam champion had lost her last 10 matches to a top-20 opponent since beating world No. 5 Kiki Bertens at the 2019 Cincinnati tournament. Kudermetova was the 16th seed this week.
American Sloane Stephens, the US Open champion, defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-5, 6-2. The start of the match was delayed by nearly three hours.
“There’s a lot of adversity,” Stephens said. You handle it as best you can. It’s difficult for everyone. »
The 30-year-old Stephens will now face defending champion Caroline Garcia (No. 6) in the second round.