Two-time champion Venus Williams took Alison Van Uytvanck to the brink in the second set, but could not come through in their first-round clash.
Alison Van Uytvanck moves into Round 2 with a win over the legendary Venus Williams.
Venus' forehand is stil a 🚀 pic.twitter.com/0QOKbcu7mc
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
After squaring off with Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck on Tuesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Venus Williams has now faced a total of 360 different opponents over the course of her illustrious career. Williams, 42 and making her Open Era record 91st Grand Slam main draw appearance, had experience on her side, but the two-time US Open champion could not make it count against the 28-year-old.
Quite a finish for Alison Van Uytvanck in Arthur Ashe Stadium! pic.twitter.com/yqiI6LB3pD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
Van Uytvanck blazed out of the gates and fought off a heavy push from Williams in the second set, notching a 6-1, 7-6(5) triumph to book her spot in the second round at Flushing Meadows for the second time.
Iconic.
No one has played more Grand Slam singles tournaments than Queen Vee. pic.twitter.com/3xJ3PTTERT
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
When Venus Williams made her Grand Slam debut at 1997 Roland Garros at the age of 16, 58 of the women in this year’s US Open main draw were not even born yet. Even in defeat it is hard not to marvel at the longevity of the former World No.1, who has notched 271 Grand Slam singles wins and 49 titles on the circuit.
“It’s always an honor to play a legend,” Van Uytvanck told the crowd after her win. “She means so much to women’s tennis—tennis in general—and I was so happy to play her for the first time on Arthur Ashe.
“I really enjoyed it. I had goosebumps when I came onto the court and I’m happy with my performance.”
“I was still finding my space,” Williams said. “This is my first major in over a year, so I was finding my space and my rhythm and finding myself out there and getting closer and closer.
“Her level was really incredible today. So credit to her.”
A salute to a living legend.@Venuseswilliams waves to the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium. pic.twitter.com/qdl6019nms
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2022
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