Venus Williams loses 17th singles match in a row at Hong Kong Open

File Photo: Venus Williams has not won a single set in any of her recent six matches as her win drought continues. | Photo Credit: AP

Venus Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, is going through one of her roughest patches in terms of singles victories on the WTA tour.

Williams lost her 17th match in a row at the Hong Kong Open on Monday. She lost in straight sets to fellow American Mary Stoiana, 6-2, 6-3, in the opening round of the tournament.

The 46-year-old, now ranked 597, struggled with her serve as it was broken twice in both sets without ever threatening Stoiana’s serve.

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Despite the crowd being in favour of the legend, Stoiana, ranked 113, remained comfortable in both sets and will face Sorana Cirstea/Maria Timofeeva in the last 16.

Williams has not won a singles match since July 2025, recently losing to Austrian Lilli Tagger at the Guangzhou Open and to Sofia Kenin at the US Open, both without winning a single set.

However, she has had better luck in doubles, as Williams reached the semifinals of the Guangzhou Open and is set to take part in the doubles at the Hong Kong Open with Xu Yifan.