Venus Williams lost to fellow American Madison Keys on Monday night, falling 6-2, 7-5 in the opening round of the National Bank Open. The 43-year-old Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, dropped to 2-4 in six career matches against the 28-year-old Keys. The 16th-ranked Keys broke Williams twice in the first set. She recorded two more breaks in the second and held on for the win. Keys, who also is playing with fellow American Jennifer Brady in the women’s doubles tournament, now faces Italian Jasmine Paolini in the round of 32.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka is set to plummet below 80th in the rankings after her Australian Open title defence met a shuddering halt in only the third round.
Rafael Nadal steps up his march towards a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Wednesday, with Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka also taking centre stage.