Venus Williams’ tough run in 2026 continued on Thursday as the 45-year-old American was knocked out in the first round of the Indian Wells Open 2026.
The American former World No.1 lost to French qualifier Diane Parry 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1, marking her fifth straight opening-round exit this year.
Williams had earlier fallen in the first round at Auckland, Hobart, the Australian Open and Austin, while her overall losing streak now stretches to eight matches dating back to last summer.
Parry finished with a 9-4 edge in aces, and she saved three of the four break points she faced. She next will meet 15th-seeded Madison Keys.
Croatia’s Donna Vekic, another player who hadn’t won a tour-level match this year, edged the Czech Republic’s Tereza Valentova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) to earn a second-round match against fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula.
In other first-round action, the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova rallied past the United States’ Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open finalist, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1. Kenin was hampered by serving seven double faults.
A quartet of U.S. players earned victories Thursday afternoon. Ashlyn Krueger toppled Poland’s Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4. Taylor Townsend trounced the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-1, and Kayla Day downed Great Britain’s Francesca Jones 6-3, 6-1. Katie Volynets won the first set 6-1 before opponent Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia retired after receiving treatment on her right leg.
Other first-round winners included Austria’s Lilli Tagger, Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, Hungary’s Anna Bondar, Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal, Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Australia’s Storm Hunter.
(With inputs from Reuters)
