What a day of tennis over at the DC Open! Tuesday was absolutely electric, with some massive wins and incredible stories unfolding on the hard courts. The British contingent, in particular, had a day to remember, with Emma Raducanu, Cameron Norrie, and Dan Evans all chalking up some seriously impressive victories. It was a day of grit, comebacks, and pure entertainment.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Emma Raducanu battles past Marta Kostyuk, setting up a thrilling clash with Naomi Osaka.
- ✓ Cameron Norrie stuns world number seven Lorenzo Musetti, his first top-10 win in 2.5 years.
- ✓ At 45 years old, Venus Williams wins her first singles match in over a year in a historic return.
- ✓ Dan Evans rounds out a perfect day for the Brits with a solid straight-sets victory.
- ✓ Marta Kostyuk's losing streak unfortunately extends to six consecutive matches.
Raducanu's Fight Sets Up a Blockbuster Showdown
Let's kick things off with British number three, Emma Raducanu. She was up against Ukraine's world number 27, Marta Kostyuk, and this was no walk in the park. Raducanu had to dig deep to secure a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win in what was her first singles match since facing the world number one at Wimbledon earlier this month. This was a tough, gritty performance that showed real character.
The first set alone was a marathon, a "gruelling 71 minutes" of back-and-forth tennis. It all came down to a tie-break where Raducanu raced to a 4-0 lead, only to see Kostyuk claw it back. But Emma held her nerve to take the set. She then jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second, but again, Kostyuk fought back to level things at 4-4. It was a nail-biter, but a crucial double fault from the Ukrainian handed Raducanu two match points, and she sealed the deal on the second attempt.
After the match, Raducanu called it an "extremely good win," adding, "I'm happy with the way I fought through the first set and in the second, stayed tough when I needed to." For Kostyuk, it was a tough result, marking her sixth consecutive loss, with her last win coming way back on May 11 in Rome. Next up for Raducanu? A massive match against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who looked sharp in her 6-2, 7-5 win over Yulia Putintseva. Get your popcorn ready for that one!
Norrie's Comeback Kid Moment Stuns a Top-10 Star
Over on the men's side, Cameron Norrie pulled off one of the biggest wins of his recent career. He was facing the second seed and world number seven, Lorenzo Musetti, and things didn't start well. Norrie dropped the first set 3-6, managing only three winners. It looked like it might be a quick exit for the Brit.
But then, something clicked. Norrie completely flipped the script, dominating the second set 6-2 to force a decider. The final set was a tense affair. Norrie had to save five break points in a crucial fifth game before breaking Musetti in the very next game to take a 4-2 lead. He held on to clinch the match 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 after two hours and seven minutes. This was his first success over a top-10 player in two and a half years, a huge milestone.
To cap off a brilliant day for the British players, 35-year-old Dan Evans also secured his spot in the last 16. He put on a clinical display to defeat the 13th seed, American Alex Michelsen, with a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 victory. Evans will now face Corentin Moutet of France. All in all, you couldn't have asked for a better day for British tennis in Washington.
A True Legend Returns: The Venus Williams Story
As incredible as the British wins were, perhaps the biggest story of the day belongs to an absolute icon of the sport. The legendary Venus Williams, at 45 years old, stepped onto the court for her first singles match in over a year. Not only did she play, but she won, beating 23-year-old Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 in a truly inspiring performance.
This wasn't just any win; it was historic. Venus became the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in the professional era, second only to Martina Navratilova, who won a match at 47. You could feel the energy from the 7,000-strong crowd, who were there to witness her return. Venus hadn't won a singles match since August 2023 and was listed as "inactive" by the WTA until this week.
She showed flashes of her vintage self, blasting aces at 110 mph and moving with a fluidity that defied her long layoff. After the match, she spoke about the mental battle of her comeback, admitting that during training, "I was, like, 'Oh, my God, I don't know if I'm good enough yet.'" But when she got on the court, her champion's mentality took over. She told the fans she wanted to play a good match, and then, with a roar from the crowd, added, "and win the match." And that's exactly what she did.
Conclusion
Tuesday at the DC Open was one of those days that reminds you why tennis is such a compelling sport. We saw a trio of fantastic British victories, with Raducanu showing her fight, Evans his consistency, and Norrie pulling off a massive upset with a fresh, joyful mindset. It was a clean sweep that sets up some exciting matches to come.
But the emotional heart of the day was undeniably the return of Venus Williams. Her victory wasn't just about the score; it was a testament to timeless talent, perseverance, and the pure love of the game. From thrilling comebacks to historic milestones, it was a truly unforgettable day of tennis in Washington.
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