Venus Williams suffered her worst US Open defeat of her career on Tuesday night when Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen beat the two-time US Open champion 6-1, 6-1.
“I mean, I think first I have to give credit to my opponent,” said the American. “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 dropshot, so…
“I don’t think I played badly. I think it was just one of those days where it’s just unlucky.
“My preparation was definitely minimal. But I don’t think that it necessarily affected the bulk of my performance. I think there are just shots where my footwork wasn’t really there. A lot of backhands I missed where my feet just weren’t there. That’s normal when you don’t spend a lot of time on the court.
“But I really have to give credit to her. It was just incredible, honestly. I mean, if she can play like that, you imagine that she can be in the top 10 or perhaps No. 1 or maybe win a Grand Slam, something like that, if she can play at this level.”
“I think that’s the best I ever saw Greet play. I don’t know. I mean, that’s great for her to reach that level.
“For me, I haven’t played a lot of matches this year, so the times I could play, I gave it my all. I got a handful of matches. It wasn’t the year I was expecting, but I gave it everything I had.””For me, I haven’t played a lot of matches this year, so the times I could play, I gave it my all. I got a handful of matches. It wasn’t the year I was expecting, but I gave it everything I had.”
No. 1 seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz followed Williams’ defeat by easily advancing to the second round when his opponent Dominik Koepfer was forced to retire with the Spaniard leading, 6-2, 3-2.
“Well, I felt great during the match,” said Alcaraz in his media conference. “I start pretty well. Really focus. Honestly, I didn’t expect to play such a great level the beginning, the first round, here in the US Open.”
“I am very, very happy with the level, even if Domi had to retire. Have to see myself and hopefully to keep that level into the next round.”
Earlier in the day session, both third seeds had easy wins in Ashe Stadium – Daniil Medvedev won 6-1, 6-1. 6-0 while Jessica Pegula won 6-2, 6-2.
Upsets on the day were: No. 21 Donna Vekic, No. 24 Talon Griekspor, No. 27 Anastasia Potapova, No. 12 Barbora Krejcikova, No. 11 Karen Khachanov, and No. 27 Borna Coric.
More to follow….