Hobart International: Differing American fortunes as Venus Williams beaten by fellow veteran while Iva Jovic shines

Venus Williams is out in the first round of the Hobart International losing in round one during the night to fellow veteran, Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-3. Williams now heads towards the Australian Open.

The legendary 45-year-old has often been a topic of discussion among those chattering about wildcards and their use in the sport with Williams being more of a draw nowadays than someone who will pick up their racquet and win events. So perhaps wins or losses are irrelevant in the grand scheme of it all.

But this also comes into account with Williams as some are of the mindset that she is perhaps undeserving of said spot due to her competitiveness. She put up a fight against Maria but was well beaten by the 38-year-old who now moves into the second round.

She lost her serve in the third game of the match but instantly got the break back in the following game. But Williams was broken again in the fifth game. This time though Maria did not stutter on her serve as she went on to serve her way to the first set.

The second set was the same story as the former World No.1 came from a break down early to make it competitive but she then suffered back-to-back breaks this time in the seventh and ninth games as Maria completed a straight sets victory. It was their first meeting and Williams second game of the year. She lost to Magda Linette last week in Auckland.

Albeit before her latest loss, it was all about still having that honour of playing at the top level. “I really need matches, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play here. I’m hitting the ball really well. I can’t expect perfection right now, but I know I’m playing good tennis. Winning and losing doesn’t know any age. Once you walk on court, you’re there to compete. It’s a beautiful sport. I love what I do, and it’s a blessing and an honor to still be playing," said Williams pre tournament.

Also on Tuesday, Iva Jovic shined in one of the ties of the round on paper. She faced off against Janice Tjen. Sealing a 6-0, 6-1 win, she continues to back up her incredible 2025. The 18-year-old reached the semi-finals in Auckland last week and bounced Tjen who has now taken back-to-back defeats to start the year after herself having a great year and winning one game was very much a down to the earth with a thud moment.

Jovic was perhaps expected to even lose early given that she reached the semi's last week but she continues on. While other wins came for Anna Bondar against Ella Seidel 6-0, 6-1. Rebecca Sramkova took down Varvara Gracheva 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. While Peyton Stearns got a confidence boosting win defeating Barbora Krejcikova in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 7-6.

Wang Xinyu also fresh off Auckland is also a victor today winning 6-2, 6-3 over Talia Gibson. Emma Raducanu still to come against Camila Osorio in the penultimate match of the day in Hobart.