INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Venus Williams performed a match on tour for the primary time in about six months on Thursday, and the 43-year-old proprietor of seven Grand Slam titles gave away the lead and the final 10 video games in a 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 loss to qualifier Nao Hibino on the BNP Paribas Open.
Williams hadn’t competed anyplace since a first-round exit on the US Open on Aug. 29. That 6-1, 6-1 defeat towards Greet Minnen was the American’s most lopsided loss in 100 profession matches on the main event she gained in 2000 and 2001.
When Thursday’s defeat ended with Williams getting damaged for the seventh time in 12 service video games, she walked to the online to congratulate Hibino, then left the courtroom with a smile and a wave as a lot of the sparse crowd stood to applaud.
Editor’s Picks
Williams, as soon as ranked No. 1 and now exterior the highest 450, gained her most up-to-date Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2008 and has performed sparingly in recent times, partially due to accidents. Her most up-to-date look at Indian Wells got here in 2019.
She nonetheless can provide stinging serves and large backhands, however her efficiency this time was stuffed with errors, together with 10 double-faults.
The match was interrupted by heavy rain after they accomplished simply two video games in windy and chilly circumstances Wednesday evening. When play resumed about 14 hours after the suspension, the solar was out, the temperature rose above 70 levels and Williams not wanted the long-sleeved white prime and black leggings she used the evening earlier than.
The Eightieth-ranked Hibino, who got here into this match with an 0-3 profession document at Indian Wells, will meet No. 17 seed Veronika Kudermetova within the second spherical.
On Day 2 within the desert, with a packed schedule due to the earlier evening’s climate, winners included four-time Grand Slam title winner Naomi Osaka, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2018 Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki and 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins. Subsequent for Collins is a matchup with No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who edged her in three units on the Australian Open in January, whereas Osaka’s 6-3, 6-1 victory over qualifier Sara Errani allowed her to maneuver on to face No. 14 Liudmila Samsonova.
Among the many males, three-time main champ Stan Wawrinka was edged 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2 by 63rd-ranked Tomas Machac, and Gael Monfils, qualifier Lucas Pouille, Borna Coric and 19-year-old American Alex Michelsen gained.
There was rain at evening once more, halting play for about 2 1/2 hours, earlier than resuming a bit previous 9:30 p.m. native time.
Rafael Nadal was presupposed to play in his first tour match since January on Thursday evening, however he withdrew from the event on Wednesday.
