One more time, Venus Williams brought back the good old days and thrilled the audience under the floodlights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get out of the US Open in a three-set war against Karolina Muchova.
The 45-year-old American, who was driving for a 25th main-draw record in New York, lost to the Czech world No. 17 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.
Muchova went ahead to secure two breaks and thus the opening set, but Williams used her old power to reply in the second. Through strong net play and scorching groundstrokes, she, the seven-time Grand Slam winner, got to a double break and thus 6-2, her first set at Flushing Meadows since 2020, made the score draw.
At the peak of the loud audience’s roar for each Williams winner and so the notion of another heroic comeback was growing, Muchova, the US Open semifinalist for the last two years, changed her tactics in the last set, and as Williams’ power decreased, she went on to win the final set quickly.
“She is a legend in the true sense of the word, it was amazing to share the court with her,” Muchova said after the match. “The atmosphere was making me very nervous but I am glad I could keep my focus.”
After receiving a warm standing ovation, Williams, who has won the US Open twice, left the venue with her admirable fighting spirit once again impressing New York.
