Venus Williams toppled by Greet Minnen at US Open 2023, Aryna Sabalenka eases past Maryna Zanevska

Venus Williams could not mark a century of US Open matches with a victory, going down 6-1 6-1 to Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was Williams’ 24th appearance in the US Open main draw and 356th career Grand Slam match – the latter statistic only bettered by her sister Serena in the Open era after appearing in 423 herself.

However, those mightily impressive statistics counted for little on Tuesday night, as Minnen prevailed after only one hour and 13 minutes.

Williams was broken in the first game and three times in total in a bruising first set, before failing to hold her serve twice more in the second.

Despite the comprehensive nature of her defeat, Williams felt she did all she could in the face of a strong display from Minnen.

“I have to give credit to my opponent,” she said.

“I mean, there wasn’t a shot she couldn’t make. Even when I hit really amazing shots, she just hit a winner or a drop shot.

“I don’t think I played badly. I think it was just one of those days where it’s just unlucky.”

Meanwhile, it was an impressive display from world No. 97 Minnen who held all of her service games and hit 24 winners.

“Incredible to play a legend like [Williams],” Minnen said in her on-court interview.

“I have huge respect for her, to be there at 43 years old, it’s amazing.

“She has amazing strokes, amazing serve, so I really tried to play aggressive, make her move as much as possible, even hit a few drop shots, which I’m not used to – but I’ll keep doing it, I think.”

The 26-year-old will now turn her attention to a match against American Sachia Vickery in a second-round clash on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka eased past Greet’s compatriot Maryna Zanevska with a 6-3 6-2 victory to close out Tuesday night’s play.

It was not all plain-sailing for the world No. 2 though, after losing her first two service games and registering five double faults in the process.

The second set was more comprehensive for the Belarusian, as she won three times on Zanevska’s serve to eliminate the 30-year-old, playing in her final professional tournament.

Sabalenka joked afterwards: “If I was you, after the third double fault I would just leave this stadium. So, thank you for being patient.”

There will be British interest in Sabalenka’s next contest as she takes on Jodie Burrage in a second-round match on Thursday. Burrage overcame Anna Blinkova her first-round match with a 6-3 6-4 win.