US Open 2023: Two-time champion Venus Williams makes early first-round exit to Greet Minnen

Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen defeated two-time champion Venus Williams 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the US Open 2023 on Tuesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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Former world No. 1 Williams was playing the main draw of the US Open 2023 for the 24th time in her career. She also played her 100th US Open match under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday evening. However, the 43-year-old was defeated by World No. 97 Minnen in a match that lasted one hour and 13 minutes.

Meanwhile, Minnen won 24 to Williams' 10. She fought all six break points thanks to a flurry of successful drop shots. Minnen has had a resurgent season after dropping out of the Top 200 by the end of last year. She has won two ITF Challenger titles in 2023 and also reached two WTA 125 finals this year, as she has worked her way back inside the Top 100. Minnen will face a fellow qualifier, American Sachia Vickery, in the US Open 2023 second round on Thursday.

Elsewhere, qualifier Wang Yafan made a winning return to the Grand Slam stage at the US Open 2023. She defeated last year's semifinalist Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-1 in the first round in just 70 minutes. While, Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová cruised into the second round with a 6-3, 6-0 win over qualifier Han Na-lae. The No. 9 seed fought hard to get past her challenging opponent, before dominating the match.

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Vondroušová experienced some standout moments, such as her sliding pass with a sharp angle in the opening set, which was hit down the sideline. Her two crucial trademark drop shots, which she used repeatedly to beat Han, and her return, which brutally punished the world No. 241's soft serve.

Han managed to hold serve only once during the entire match. Once Vondroušová won the opening set, the Czech accelerated her pace to the finish line. She will next face Martina Trevisan in the US Open 2023 second round, who defeated Yulia Putintseva 0-6, 7-6(0), 7-6<8>.