How Did Magdalena Frech Honor Venus Williams After the Washington Open?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Frech's victory over Williams showcases her talent and determination.
- Williams continues to inspire young athletes despite her long hiatus.
- The match highlights the emotional impact of competing against legends.
- Frech's strategic gameplay was key to her success.
- Both players have exciting prospects ahead in their careers.
New Delhi, July 25 (NationPress) World number 24, Magdalena Frech, expressed her admiration for Venus Williams, stating that she feels like a deity after defeating the former world No. 1 in the second round of the Washington Open.
After winning her first-round match against fellow American Peyton Stearns on Tuesday, Williams became the oldest player to secure a victory in a WTA Tour match since 2004. However, the match against Frech told a different tale, with Frech winning in straight sets: 6-2, 6-2. This defeat followed a day after Williams and Hailey Baptiste were eliminated in the second round of doubles, where they faced off against Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai in a nail-biting tiebreak, marking Williams' first competitive outing in over a year.
While Stearns allowed Williams to gain free points through unforced errors, she committed a total of 41 errors in Williams' 6-3, 6-4 victory. Williams had 32 unforced errors and double-faulted five times during the match, according to WTA statistics.
Frech commented, "She's a superstar, she's like a god here, so it was incredibly emotional for me to compete in this match. I can't even envision myself playing on the court in 17 years—no chance! It was truly an honor to play against her. I won many points off my first serve and aimed to move her around the court—playing in various directions, using drop shots and slices. I believe I played strategically well, and I’m thrilled to be in the quarterfinals," Frech stated.
This marks Frech's first quarterfinal appearance of the season, having reached the last eight at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open last October. She aims for a third consecutive victory, something she hasn't achieved since then, against the third seed, Elena Rybakina, next.
With a total of seven Grand Slam titles—including two US Open and five Wimbledon championships—Williams is set to return to the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open next, having received a wildcard for the main draw.