Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, lost to fellow American Madison Keys in the opening round of the National Bank Open on Monday night. Keys, the 16th-ranked player in the world, won 6-2, 7-5.
Williams, 43, is the oldest player in the tournament. She has been struggling with injuries in recent years, and this was her first match since Wimbledon. Keys broke Williams twice in the first set and twice in the second.
Keys will next face Italian Jasmine Paolini in the round of 32.
In other action, Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova defeated China’s Lin Zhu 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-2. Pliskova, the 23rd-ranked player in the world, had 11 aces and seven double-faults. She converted five of 16 break points. Zhu had two aces and eight double-faults. She broke on two of her three opportunities.
Pliskova will next face American Danielle Collins in the round of 32.
The National Bank Open is a WTA 1000 tournament held in Montreal. It is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world.
