Sports · Tennis · 53 mins ago
Venus Williams falls to 0-13 in singles this year after Guangzhou defeat
Venus Williams lost 6-2, 6-2 to Lilli Tagger in the Guangzhou Open first round in China on Tuesday.
The 46-year-old American is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, while Tagger is an 18-year-old Austrian ranked 53rd in the world.
The defeat left Williams with 13 singles losses and no wins this year, and she has now lost 16 straight tour matches since July last year.
Their 28-year age gap was reportedly a record for a WTA Tour match.
Tagger served strongly, did not face a break point and converted four of the 16 break-point chances she had.
Williams was playing her first singles match in two months, after losing in the first round of the US Open.
The result underlines the gap between Williams and the current tour field, while Tagger’s win adds to the record of a rising young player.
Venus Williams lost 6-2, 6-2 to Austria’s Lilli Tagger in the Guangzhou Open first round on Tuesday.
The defeat left the 46-year-old with a 0-13 singles record this year and a 16-match losing streak on the WTA Tour.
Williams, ranked No. 599, was playing her first singles match since losing in the US Open first round.
Tagger, 18 and ranked No. 53, was born in 2008.
Williams and doubles partner Janice Tjen won their doubles match and were due to play in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
- Who
- Venus Williams and Lilli Tagger.
- What
- Tagger beat Williams 6-2, 6-2 in the Guangzhou Open first round.
- When
- Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
- Where
- The Guangzhou Open in Guangzhou, China.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Williams’ 16-match singles losing streak on the WTA Tour dates back to this month.
Williams lost in the first round to Sofia Kenin.
Tagger beat Williams 6-2, 6-2 in the Guangzhou Open first round.
- Williams’ singles record in 2026
- 0-13
- WTA Tour losing streak
- 16 matches
- Guangzhou Open score
- 6-2, 6-2
- Williams’ world ranking
- No. 599
- Tagger’s world ranking
- No. 53
4 sources
Venus Williams beaten by opponent 28-years younger and has lost every singles match this year since making comeback
Williams loses again - to opponent 28 years younger
Venus Williams 0-13 in singles this year after losing to rival 28 years younger at Guangzhou Open
Venus drops to 0-13 in singles after Guangzhou Open loss to 18-year-old
What people are saying
When I saw the draw I was super excited and a bit nervous - I respect her a lot