Share

Venus holds off challenge from teen at Montreal

Montreal - Venus Williams advanced to the second round of the Rogers Cup after a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Caroline Dolehide on Monday. 

The 14th-ranked Williams made quick work of her 19-year-old fellow American in the second set after coming from behind to win a back-and-forth first set. 

The seven-time Grand Slam champion will now face either Sorana Cristea or Monica Niculescu in the second round. 

It looked like an upset was in the cards in the early going. The 124th-ranked Dolehide, who was making her Rogers Cup debut, jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first set after breaking Williams' serve.

One of just two teenagers in the main draw, Dolehide used her heavy service game and aggressive play to challenge Williams on every point. She finished the match with three aces. Williams had none. 

But the 38-year-old veteran broke Dolehide back to take a 4-3 lead, and she did it again in the deciding game of the first set. 

Dolehide, one of 12 qualifiers in the main draw, just couldn't maintain the same pace in the second set, as Williams only lost 11 points on her way to victory. 

Dolehide earned spot in the main draw of the US Open on Monday when Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia withdrew due to an injured right shoulder.

Earlier in singles play, 29-year-old Julia Goerges of Germany avoided an early loss with a 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over Timea Babos of Hungary in a match that lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours. Goerges had 17 aces and five double faults to Babos' eight and one, respectively. 

Goerges will next face qualifier Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in the second round. 

In other singles matches, Anett Kontaveit of Estonia defeated Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 and Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia cruised past Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia 6-1, 6-0.

Results of the WTA tournament in Montreal on Monday (x denotes seeded player):

First round

Karolina Pliskova (CZE x9) bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-4, 6-4

Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1

Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) bt Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) 6-1, 6-0

Lucie Safarova (CZE) bt Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5

Julia Goerges (GER x10) bt Timea Babos (HUN) 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4

Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) bt Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-4, 6-2

Venus Williams (USA x13) bt Caroline Dolehide (USA) 7-5, 6-1

Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) bt Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 3-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE