Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 25, 2025 Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
NEW YORK (Reuters) -Venus Williams showed flashes of vintage form under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday but despite pushing Karolina Muchova to a deciding set the 45-year-old American fell 6-3 2-6 6-1 in a thrilling U.S. Open first-round battle.
The seven-times Grand Slam champion was making a record-extending 25th main draw appearance in New York, where she won the title in 2000 and 2001, and delivered a spirited performance before a packed and partisan crowd.
