ATX Open Austin Round-Up Day Two | Bianca Andreescu and Venus Williams suffer early exits

The ATX Open Austin continued with first-round action as several high-profile names took to the courts in Texas. The day brought mixed outcomes, highlighted by Iva Jovic’s composed progression into the second round and early exits for former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams.

Andreescu battled through momentum swings in a three-set contest before falling to Dalma Galfi, while Venus’ campaign ended against Ajla Tomljanovic. Jovic, meanwhile, maintained her steady rise with another mature display. Below is a breakdown of the key matches involving the featured players in Austin.

Iva Jovic delivered a composed and efficient performance to defeat Anna Blinkova 6-3, 6-4, continuing her strong run in Austin. The 18-year-old controlled large stretches of the match with disciplined shot selection and a reliable serve, showing little sign of nerves in her opening-round appearance.

The first set remained competitive in the early exchanges, with Blinkova attempting to extend rallies and apply pressure from the baseline. However, Jovic capitalised on the only break opportunity she created, which proved enough to secure the set. She won 72% of her service points in the opener and maintained scoreboard control without facing sustained pressure.

Statistically, Jovic was particularly effective behind her first serve, winning 86% (30/35) of those points while striking six aces. She also saved all seven break points she faced, an important factor in keeping momentum on her side. Her ability to handle tight service games prevented Blinkova from gaining confidence.

In the second set, both players held firmly until 4-4. At that stage, Jovic elevated her return game and secured the decisive break. Although she showed slight tension while serving for the match, she closed it out without allowing a late comeback. The American advances to face Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round.

Bianca Andreescu’s campaign ended in a hard-fought three-set defeat to Dalma Galfi, who prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 after a match marked by momentum swings and shifting control.

Galfi took early command in the opening set, breaking to lead 4-1. Andreescu responded quickly to recover one break and briefly looked poised to shift the balance. However, Galfi stepped up in the closing stages, winning eight consecutive points to seal the first set with authority.

The Canadian showed resilience in the second set. Trailing 2-4, Andreescu raised her intensity and found improved rhythm on her groundstrokes. She won five of the final six games, forcing errors from Galfi and converting her opportunities to push the match into a decider.

In the third set, Galfi appeared to seize full control, racing to a 4-0 lead and breaking Andreescu three times in her first four service games. Andreescu saved two match points at 2-5 and recovered one of the breaks, even generating further chances that could have leveled the set.

Despite the late fightback, Galfi remained steady behind her first serve and closed the match on her third match point. Andreescu struggled on second serve throughout, winning just 38% of those points and committing seven double faults — numbers that ultimately proved costly.

Venus Williams’ return to competition in Austin concluded with a 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic in the opening round. The 45-year-old began the match positively, moving ahead 3-1 in the first set and showing flashes of her trademark aggression from the baseline.

However, momentum shifted as unforced errors began to accumulate. Tomljanovic adjusted her positioning and began targeting Williams’ second serve, which yielded just 24% of points won. The Australian claimed three consecutive breaks in the first set to overturn the early deficit and take control.

In the second set, Williams created several break opportunities but was unable to convert in key moments. Tomljanovic’s first-serve efficiency — winning 68% of those points — allowed her to manage pressure situations effectively. Williams, by contrast, won just three of eight service games overall.

The closing stages saw Tomljanovic string together five consecutive games to seal the victory. Williams won only one of her final six service games, and despite competitive patches, could not maintain consistency across longer exchanges.

Tomljanovic advances to face Iva Jovic in the second round, setting up a generational contrast between experience and youth in Austin.