Kamilla Rakhimova Defeats Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1 at the National Bank Open

In a rain-delayed match on Sunday, Kamilla Rakhimova triumphed over Venus Williams, winning 6-4, 6-1, as the National Bank Open women’s main draw commenced in Toronto. Williams, a 46-year-old veteran granted a singles wild-card entry at this WTA 1000 event, has now suffered 12 consecutive losses dating back to July 2025.

After the match, Williams acknowledged the challenges of outdoor play, stating, “We play outside … you can’t control the weather.” She expressed her gratitude towards the fans, saying, “The fans were amazing. They were with me right in every point — that was fantastic. I was just fighting to put the ball on the court.”

Rakhimova, a 24-year-old from Uzbekistan and currently ranked 82nd in the world, shared her excitement about competing against the iconic player. “Playing Venus is not an everyday experience,” she noted. “I’m very glad to actually get a chance to play against her. I was looking forward to that match. I knew it was going to be a center-court match. I was trying to enjoy my time on it, no matter what the result.”

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn