Venus Williams makes stunning comeback with a win in Auckland

Nobody really expected Venus Williams to play as well as she did but the veteran began her 27th year on Tour with a great win over rising talent Volynets 7-6(2) 6-2.

To the joy of many fans, Williams opted to continue playing in 2023 and she started off really well. A huge win over a very competent player in Katie Volynets was impressive to see. The first set was a very competitive one as she was finding her way again but once she did she looked great. Volynets wasted a big chance at the end of the first set when she served for it at 5-4 and she fumbled a mini-break lead in the tiebreak as well.

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Staying in the rallies paid off for Venus who emerged on top after the first set 7-4 and confidently outplayed her much younger opponent in the second set as well. An early break gave her even more confidence as she worked her way to a 5-0 lead and a chance to serve a bagel. Volynets didn't allow that to happen but she didn't have enough to mount a proper comeback as Williams held her serve at 5-2 to finish off the match.

Welcome back, Venus!