Venus Williams extended her singles losing streak to 13 matches after being defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Emiliana Arango in the opening round of the Cincinnati Open. The seven-time major champion, who received a wild-card entry to the WTA 1000 event, has not won a singles match since July 2025. Arango, a 25-year-old qualifier from Colombia ranked 95th, clinched victory over Williams in just over an hour at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
Williams struggled from the onset, losing her serve in the first game and facing an uphill battle throughout the match. Arango capitalized on break points, converting 4 out of 5, and dominated by winning 71% of her first-serve points. On the other hand, Williams failed to convert her only break opportunity and had a first-serve percentage of just 41%.
Reflecting on her performance, Arango mentioned that taking an early lead helped ease her nerves and maintain pressure on Williams. Arango is set to face No. 7 seed and defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek in the upcoming round.
Williams’ last singles victory dates back to the previous year in Washington when she defeated Peyton Stearns. Despite feeling in control of the points, Williams expressed the need for better consistency in finishing plays.
Following her singles match, Williams will partner with her sister, Serena, in the doubles event after receiving a wild-card entry. The duo, who last played together at the 2022 U.S. Open, was previously scheduled to team up at Wimbledon before an injury sidelined Serena. They are slated to face Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in the first round of the doubles tournament starting this Sunday.
Looking ahead, Venus Williams expressed excitement about the doubles competition with Serena and revealed plans to participate in mixed doubles at the upcoming U.S. Open alongside Alexander Bublik.