Venus Williams’ Singles Losing Streak Hits 13 Matches at Cincinnati Open

MASON, Ohio — Venus Williams extended her singles losing streak to 13 matches after a 6-2, 6-2 defeat to Emiliana Arango in the first round of the Cincinnati Open on Friday. The seven-time major champion, who is 46 years old, received a wild-card entry into this WTA 1000 event and has not secured a singles victory since July 2025.

Arango, a 25-year-old qualifier from Colombia and currently ranked 95th, took just 1 hour and 5 minutes to dispatch Williams on the grandstand court at Lindner Tennis Center. From the outset, Williams faced challenges, having her serve broken in the match’s first game, which set the tempo for Arango’s dominant performance. The Colombian converted 4 of her 5 break points and won 71% of her first-serve points, while Williams was unable to convert her only break opportunity and achieved just 41% on her first serves.

“That kind of eased my nerves a little bit of having maybe a little bit of breathing room. And then I think I just did a good job of staying on it, trying to make her play as much as possible,” Arango commented on her early lead.

Looking ahead, Arango will face No. 7 seed and defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek in the second round. Williams’ last singles win occurred in Washington last year against Peyton Stearns, who she defeated.

“I think that at all times I was really controlling the point, but unfortunately didn’t finish it the way I wanted to,” Williams reflected on her match. “The encouraging part is that I’m controlling the shots, but I have to just get a little more consistent on that last part.” This match also marked Williams’ 11th appearance in the Cincinnati Open.

Despite her singles exit, Williams will continue to compete in Cincinnati, teaming up with her sister, Serena, in doubles after they received a wild-card entry. The sisters last played doubles together at the 2022 U.S. Open but were unable to compete in Wimbledon due to an injury to Serena. They are set to face Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in the first round of doubles, which begins on Sunday.

“I’m excited and hope that we can both go into it fresh, on our toes and ready. I’ll be preparing for that,” said Venus Williams. She is also scheduled to participate in mixed doubles at the U.S. Open later this month with Alexander Bublik.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn