MASON, Ohio — Venus Williams’ return to skilled tennis won’t simply be a one-tournament go to: She was awarded a wild-card entry on Wednesday for subsequent month’s Cincinnati Open.
The 45-year-old Williams is taking part in her first occasion in additional than a yr this week on the DC Open and received first-round matches in each singles and doubles.
Her 6-3, 6-4 victory over 23-year-old Peyton Stearns on Tuesday evening made Williams the second-oldest girl to win a tour-level singles match. Martina Navratilova was 47 when she picked up her final singles victory in 2004.
Williams has received seven Grand Slam singles titles — 5 at Wimbledon and two on the US Open — plus 14 extra in doubles together with her sister Serena and two in blended doubles.
She’ll play Magdalena Frech of Poland on Thursday in Washington.
The Cincinnati Open begins on Aug. 5 and is a hard-court tuneup for the US Open.
Caty McNally, the one participant to take a set off champion Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, additionally was given a wild card for Cincinnati on Wednesday.