Venus Williams’ return to the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium ended in a 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Kamilla Rakhimova on Sunday. The seven-time Grand Slam winner, who competed as a singles wild-card entry, struggled to gain momentum during the WTA 1000 event as rain delays disrupted the opening day of the main draw in Toronto.
Match Dynamics and Weather Disruptions
The match, which began after a near two-hour weather delay, saw Williams face a challenging start against the 24-year-old from Uzbekistan. According to tournament reports, Rakhimova, ranked No. 82 in the world, managed to break Williams’ serve to claim the first set 6-4 after a tense battle at 4-3. The second set proceeded more quickly, with Rakhimova securing two additional breaks to close the match in one hour and 27 minutes.
Williams, who has not recorded a singles victory since July 2025, noted the difficulty of the conditions. “We play outside… you can’t control the weather,” she said in an interview with the tour’s communications department. “I was just fighting to put the ball on the court. I had some chances.”
Did you know?
Venus Williams’ best performance at the Canadian tournament occurred in 2014, when she reached the final after defeating her sister, Serena Williams.
Tournament Outlook and Canadian Contingent
The inclement weather on the York University campus forced the postponement of several matches. Evening play, which was scheduled to feature 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu against Nikola Bartunkova, was pushed to a later date. Similarly, the match between Cadence Brace and McCartney Kessler was rescheduled for Monday.
Despite the delays, some home-soil competitors completed their matches. Toronto’s Katherine Sebov secured a 6-3, 6-4 win over Aoi Ito, while Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro defeated Ariana Arseneault 6-2, 6-4. Looking ahead, top-seeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez is set to begin her tournament run on Wednesday, while world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is scheduled to appear on centre court Tuesday following her first-round bye.
Player Perspectives on the Transition
For Rakhimova, facing a veteran of Williams’ stature was a significant career milestone. “Playing Venus is not an everyday experience,” Rakhimova stated. “I was trying to enjoy my time on it, no matter what the result is.”
Williams expressed appreciation for the crowd despite the loss. “The fans were amazing. They were with me right in every point — that was fantastic,” she said. When reflecting on her 13th appearance in Canada, she pointed to “determination and just fighting” as the key takeaways from her performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the match between Venus Williams and Kamilla Rakhimova?
Kamilla Rakhimova defeated Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to advance in the National Bank Open.
Why was the National Bank Open schedule delayed?
Heavy rain at the York University venue in Toronto caused a nearly two-hour delay for the start of the tournament and ultimately led to the postponement of evening matches.
When does Leylah Fernandez start her tournament?
Leylah Fernandez is scheduled to begin her campaign on Wednesday after receiving a first-round bye.
Is Venus Williams still competing in singles?
Yes, Williams competed as a wild-card entry in the National Bank Open, marking her 13th appearance at the Canadian event.
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