Venus Williams’ US Open comeback ends in three-set loss to Muchova

Venus Williams made a spirited return to the US Open after a year away, taking a set off No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova before falling in the first round Monday night.

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Despite the loss, the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium was treated to glimpses of “Vintage Venus.” The two-time US Open champion’s crisp ball-striking and powerful serve were on full display -- especially in the second set, when it briefly looked like she might pull off the upset.

Ultimately, Muchova, last year’s semifinalist, proved too strong on this occasion for the seven-time Grand Slam winner, closing out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 victory in exactly two hours.

The result marked Williams’ fourth consecutive first-round exit in New York.

This was Williams’ 25th US Open appearance, coming just a month after she returned to competition with a surprise win over then-World No. 35 Peyton Stearns in Washington D.C., following a 16-month absence.

Her return to the Big Apple didn’t start as smoothly.

She was broken in the opening game and quickly fell behind 0-2, facing three break points in her second service game at risk of going down a double break early. But she saved all three and rallied to win three straight games, taking a 3-2 lead before dropping the next four to concede the first set.

Williams committed seven double faults in the opener.

The second set told a different story. She broke Muchova in the opening game and never looked back, hitting 10 winners to just five unforced errors, and limiting herself to one double fault.

But the momentum didn’t last. Williams faded in the third set, allowing Muchova to regain control and seal the win.

While it’s unclear when Williams will next take the court, she showed she still has what it takes to compete with the world’s best. The fans responded in kind, showing they’ll continue to support her -- wherever and whenever that may be.

Muchova, meanwhile, advances to face either Sorana Cirstea or Solana Sierra in the second round. Reflecting on the match, she acknowledged the challenge and the honor of sharing the court with a legend.

“I was stressed, you guys made me stressed,” Muchova said after the match. “But no, it was an unbelievable atmosphere. I mean, she’s such a legend of our sport, I understand. It’s so nice to play and to share a court with her, and I’m just glad that I was lucky to win today.”