By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, January 2, 2023
Venus Williams, 42, beat 21-year-old Katie Volynets 7-6(4) , 6-2 for her first Tour-level win in more than a year at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty
A spitting shower didn't dampen Venus Williams' competitive fire.
The 42-year-old Williams launched her 30th WTA season with the ultimate reward—a well-earned win in Auckland.
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Wild card Williams defeated compatriot Katie Volynets 7-6(4), 6-2 for her first Tour-level win in more than a year at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Some people make New Year's resolutions, while Williams continues to live them out.
Williams served 67 percent, won 80 percent of her first-serve points (32 of 40) and faced just two break points in a one-hour, 44-minute triumph that had its share of obstacles.
The 21-year-old Volynets led in the tiebreaker when a shower interrupted play.
Williams used the break to regroup and returned dispensing more sting on her shots rallying to take the tiebreaker and a one-set lead.
"It's hard when you're all fired up and just suddenly you have to stop," Williams said. "I was so mad on the rain break.
"My coach could barely talk to me so I'm going to try to improve my attitude."
The four-time Olympic gold-medal champion roared through five games in a row building a 5-0 second-set lead before Volynets made a two-game run.
Williams earned her first win in 522 days advancing to a round-of-16 match against China’s Lin Zhu.
Currently ranked No. 1,003, Williams' win comes decades after her maiden WTA Tour match in October of 1994.
Auckland will serve as Williams' preparation for this month's Australian Open.
The 42-year-old superstar will make her 22nd appearance in Melbourne, a full quarter century after her 1998 debut.
The Australian Open is set for January 16-29th and Williams says she's pumped to play the Happy Slam again.
“I am very excited to be returning to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open in January,” Williams said. “I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly.
"It will be an honor to play for the fans again and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”
Two-time AO singles finalist Venus Williams partnered sister Serena Williams to four Australian Open doubles titles. Venus also joined forces with Justin Gimelstob to win the 1998 Australian Open mixed doubles championship.
Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in a historic 2017 Australian Open final.