Venus Williams defeated Italy’s Camila Giorgi 7–6 (5), 4–6, 7–6 (6) in a first-round match that lasted more than three hours in the Rothesay Classic in Great Britain on Monday, June 19.
Williams, 43, recorded her first win over a top-50 opponent in four years after getting bounced in the first round last week at the Netherlands. Williams is currently ranked No. 697 in the world.
Third-seeded Magda Linette of Poland had to rally to defeat Italian Jasmine Paolini in three sets. Fifth-seeded Anhelina Kalinina and No. 6 Bernarda Pera advanced in straight sets.
Linda Fruhirtova needed just 52 minutes to advance and Caty McNally won in straight sets.
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Caroline Garcia rolled while No. 7 Petra Kvitova was upended in the first round at Berlin, Germany….