Venus Williams’ comeback hit by another early exit as losing streak reaches 13 matches
WTAMonday, 03 August 2026 at 00:30
Venus Williams’ return to the Canadian Open ended with another difficult result as the seven-time Grand Slam champion suffered a first-round defeat in Toronto. The American, who received a wild card for the WTA 1000 event, fell 6-4, 6-1 to Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova after a match delayed by heavy rain at Sobeys Stadium.
The encounter was originally scheduled for earlier in the day but was pushed back after severe weather affected the tournament schedule. Once play finally began, Williams showed flashes of the level that has defined her historic career, but Rakhimova was able to withstand the early pressure and gradually take control of the match.
Rakhimova (No. 82) secured the victory in one hour and 27 minutes, converting four of her five break-point opportunities while producing a strong performance under pressure. Williams finished the match with two aces and converted one of her four break chances, but she struggled to maintain consistency against an opponent playing her first-ever match against the American.
The 46-year-old had opportunities to make the opening set more competitive, including a break-point chance while trailing 4-3. However, Rakhimova saved the opportunity before breaking Williams’ serve in the following game to take control of the set. After another early break in the second set, the Uzbekistani player comfortably closed out the victory.
Williams’ comeback season continues to search for momentum
The defeat extends one of the most challenging stretches of Williams’ singles career, as the former world No. 1 has now lost 13 consecutive matches. Her last victory came more than a year ago at the 2025 DC Open, where she defeated then-world No. 35 Peyton Stearns in the first round.
Since that victory, Williams has continued to compete across different stages of the season while searching for her best level. The American returned during the 2026 Australian Open swing, competed at the Sunshine Double, tested herself on clay at the Madrid Open, and later played on grass at the Bad Homburg Open before returning to North America.
Venus Williams has a streak of 13 consecutive losses in singles appearances
However, wins have remained difficult to find. Williams began the North American hard-court swing with a first-round loss against Anastasia Potapova at the DC Open, followed by another early exit in Toronto against Rakhimova.
Despite the result, Williams’ presence in Toronto remained one of the most notable storylines of the tournament. The seven-time major champion was making her 13th appearance at the Canadian event, where she owns one of the most memorable runs of her career.
Her best result in Canada came in 2014, when she defeated younger sister Serena Williams during her run to the final. More than a decade later, Williams returned to Toronto searching for another memorable chapter, but her campaign ended after just one match.
For Rakhimova, the victory marks a significant milestone and sends her into the second round, where she will face Czech player Kateřina Siniaková.
Read also
Venus Williams' losing streak
| Tournament | Round | Opponent | Opponent ranking | Score | |
| 1 | Washington 2025 | R16 | Magdalena Fręch | No. 24 | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2 | Cincinnati 2025 | R128 | Jessica Bouzas Maneiro | No. 42 | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 3 | US Open 2025 | R128 | Karolína Muchová | No. 13 | 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 |
| 4 | Auckland 2026 | R32 | Magda Linette | No. 52 | 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 |
| 5 | Hobart 2026 | R32 | Tatjana Maria | No. 42 | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 6 | Australian Open 2026 | R128 | Olga Danilović | No. 69 | 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 |
| 7 | Austin 2026 | R32 | Ajla Tomljanović | No. 74 | 6-4, 6-1 |
| 8 | Indian Wells 2026 | R128 | Diane Parry | No. 111 | 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-1 |
| 9 | Miami 2026 | R128 | Francesca Jones | No. 93 | 7-5, 7-5 |
| 10 | Madrid 2026 | R128 | Kaitlin Quevedo | No. 140 | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 11 | Bad Homburg 2026 | R32 | Irina-Camelia Begu | No. 211 | 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(6) |
| 12 | Washington 2026 | R32 | Anastasia Potapova | No. 27 | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 13 | Canadian Open 2026 | R128 | Kamila Rakhimova | No. 82 | 6-4, 6-1 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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