Venus Williams run at the Citi DC Open has come to an end after Magdalena thrashed her in the second round, winning 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets.
Williams started strongly, even grabbing an early 2–1 lead. Frech responded emphatically with a run of seven straight games, swinging the momentum decisively in her favor. Williams had five break-point opportunities but could not convert.
Speaking during her post-match interview, Williams said, “Oh, I had so much fun. Definitely not the result I wanted, but still a learning experience. The part about sport and] life is that you never stop learning.
“I got to play a lot of matches here and that definitely was a plus. The fans in DC are just epic. I couldn’t have been happier with my first week back.”
Magdalena Frech will now face Elena Rybakina in the quarter-final of the DC Open. The 27-year-old has steadily grown as a competitor on the WTA Tour, showing marked improvement at the Mubadala Citi DC Open over the past few years.
Starting in 2021, she entered the tournament as a qualifier but was defeated in the first round by Elise Mertens. After missing the 2022 event, she returned in 2023, winning her first-round match against Clervie Ngounoue before falling to Peyton Stearns in the second round.
This win over Williams marks Frech’s breakthrough, demonstrating how her consistent progress at the Citi DC Open reflects her rising stature and growing confidence on the professional circuit.
45-year-old Williams is now shifting her focus to preparations for the US Open, as she looks to build on her return to competition and make a strong showing at the final Grand Slam of the season.
