"I was always attacking" - Venus Williams becomes oldest player in 21 years to win a singles match

In the first round of the Washington Open, the seven-time Grand Slam champion defeated compatriot Peyton Stearns (23, ranked 35th) 6-3, 6-4.

Following an exciting doubles victory alongside Hailey Baptiste, Venus Williams returned to singles action with a successful 97-minute win over top-40 player Peyton Stearns.

The former world number one controlled the match, winning 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the second round of the Washington Open.

She will next face fifth seed Magdalena Frech (27, ranked 24th), who defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva (25, ranked 74th) 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round.

"I think I was always attacking. It's about trying to find that right balance of not playing too intense and also not playing too soft. I don't have to do this now, but I still have the same passion and desire to win," Williams said, as quoted by Reuters, via GSP.

"In a way, I'm still getting used to it. When you've done something every day, it's second nature. Now, it doesn't quite feel second nature yet, but hopefully it will get there," she added.

At 45, Venus Williams is the oldest player to win a WTA singles match in 21 years. In 2004 at Wimbledon, the legendary Martina Navratilova, then 48, used her wildcard entry to defeat Catalina Castano (Colombia) 6-0, 6-1 before losing in the second round.

"I think it was a big win for me today. Like I said, it's not easy. It's not gonna be easy. It's not easy for anybody out here. So, I know I have to battle for every match, and I'm willing to do that," Williams concluded.