Venus Williams’ come-from-behind win was as unpredictable as the rain on Monday.
The Center Court crowd was fully in her court and helped the seven-time Grand Slam winner come back from down 1-4 in the first set and 1-5 in the second to upset No. 16 seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 7-5. Fans erupted in appreciation after her win and she rewarded them with a full Venus twirl and wave.
“It’s good to be back in Cincinnati,” she said about her 10th appearance at the Western & Southern Open. “It’s like my home away from home.” The victory over No. 16-ranked Kudermetova was her best win since she beat world No. 5 and former Western & Southern Open champion Kiki Bertens here four years ago. No wonder she’s happy to be back.
Crowd support spurred on another American Grand Slam winner, Sloane Stephens. She trailed Elisabetta Cocciaretto 2-5 before storming back for a 7-5, 6-2 victory.
On Grandstand Court, No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and Matteo Berrettini delivered a three-set thriller for the packed crowd, with Auger-Aliassime coming out on top 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Qualifier Jordan Thompson continued his strong summer by squeaking out a 7-6, 7-6 win over former finalist John Isner. His reward is a second-round encounter with top seed and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Rain postponed several matches to Tuesday, when there will be 34 singles matches on the docket. It will be heaven for tennis fans!
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