Venus Williams' singles losing streak hits 13 after Cincinnati Open loss
Synopsis
Venus Williams' singles drought has now reached 13 consecutive losses — the latest a lopsided 6-2, 6-2 defeat to a 25-year-old Colombian qualifier at the Cincinnati Open. Yet the 46-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion isn't done: a doubles reunion with sister Serena, their first since the 2022 US Open, begins Sunday.
Key Takeaways
Venus Williams lost 6-2, 6-2 to Colombian qualifier Emiliana Arango in the first round of the Cincinnati Open on 15 August .
The defeat extends her singles losing streak to 13 matches , with no win since July 2025 .
Arango converted 4 of 5 break-point chances and won 71% of first-serve points; Williams won just 41% .
Arango next faces top seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek in the second round.
Venus and Serena Williams will reunite in doubles at Cincinnati — their first pairing since the 2022 US Open — beginning Sunday .
Venus is also set to partner Alexander Bublik in mixed doubles at the US Open later this month.
Venus Williams' singles losing streak extended to 13 matches on 15 August after the seven-time Grand Slam champion was beaten 6-2, 6-2 by Colombian qualifier Emiliana Arango in the first round of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Tennis Center in Ohio. The defeat marks Williams' latest setback in a winless singles run that has continued since July 2025.
How the Match Unfolded
The 46-year-old American, who entered the WTA 1000 event on a wildcard, struggled from the opening game as her serve was broken immediately. Arango, just 25 years old, maintained relentless pressure throughout, wrapping up the contest in one hour and five minutes on the grandstand court.
The Colombian converted four of her five break-point chances and won 71 per cent of points behind her first serve. Williams, by contrast, could not convert her sole break opportunity and managed only 41 per cent of her first-serve points — a stark statistical gap that reflected the one-sided scoreline.
What Arango Said
Arango credited her early lead with steadying her composure in what was a high-profile debut against a tennis legend. 'That kind of eased my nerves a little bit of having maybe a little bit of breathing room. And then I think I just did a good job of staying on it, trying to make her play as much as possible,' she said after the win. Arango now faces a formidable second-round test against defending champion and top seed Iga Swiatek.
Williams' Perspective
Despite the result, Williams identified encouraging signs in her own game, particularly in her ability to control rallies — even if she could not convert that control into points. 'I think that at all times I was really controlling the point, but unfortunately didn't finish it the way I wanted to,' Williams said, noting this is her 11th appearance at the Cincinnati tournament. Her most recent singles victory came at the 2025 Washington tournament, where she defeated Peyton Stearns.
'The encouraging part is that I'm controlling the shots, but I have to just get a little more consistent on that last part,' she added.
Doubles Reunion with Serena on the Horizon
Williams is not done in Cincinnati. She and her sister Serena Williams have been awarded a wildcard for the doubles draw — their first competitive pairing since the 2022 US Open. A planned reunion at Wimbledon this year fell through after Serena withdrew due to injury. Their doubles campaign begins on Sunday, with opening matches against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
Looking further ahead, Venus is also scheduled to partner Alexander Bublik in mixed doubles at the US Open later this month, keeping her competitive calendar busy despite the singles struggles.
Point of View
6-2 scoreline against a qualifier tells a stark story, but the more telling number is 13 — the length of a winless singles run that now spans over a year. At 46, Williams is competing on wildcards and goodwill, and the gap between her rally control and her ability to finish points suggests physical attrition more than tactical failure. The real narrative in Cincinnati, however, may be the doubles court: a Williams sisters reunion carries the kind of cultural weight that transcends any first-round result, and it is worth asking whether that partnership — not the singles draw — is now the primary reason Venus keeps showing up.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Venus Williams' current singles losing streak?
Venus Williams' singles losing streak stands at 13 consecutive matches as of 15 August 2025, following her first-round defeat at the Cincinnati Open. Her last singles victory came at the 2025 Washington tournament against Peyton Stearns.
Who beat Venus Williams at the Cincinnati Open?
Colombian qualifier Emiliana Arango defeated Venus Williams 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and five minutes in the first round of the Cincinnati Open. Arango, ranked outside the main draw, converted four of five break-point chances to control the match throughout.
Will Venus Williams play any more matches at Cincinnati?
Yes. Venus Williams and her sister Serena Williams have been awarded a wildcard for the Cincinnati doubles draw, with their campaign beginning on Sunday against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns. It will be their first competitive doubles pairing since the 2022 US Open.
Who does Emiliana Arango play next?
Arango faces top seed and defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek in the second round after her upset win over Williams.
Is Venus Williams playing at the US Open?
Venus Williams is scheduled to compete in mixed doubles at the US Open later in August, partnering Alexander Bublik. Her singles participation at the US Open has not been confirmed in the available reports.
