Andy Murray Prevails But Venus Williams Bows Out Of US Open
US Open
August 30, 2023
Andy Murray and Venus Williams are two legends of the game – but they enjoyed sharply contrasting fortunes at Flushing Meadows.
Both have been winners here in the past – and both have also become true legends across the Atlantic at Wimbledon.
Andy Murray and Venus Williams would be more than welcome to grace the All England Club one last time at Wimbledon 2024.
How the Centre Court crowd would cheer them, for their extraordinary contribution to grass court tennis over the last twenty years or more.
And the feisty Murray isn’t showing any signs of running out of steam.
Indeed it was important he left some gas in the tank after his opening match. Particularly if he really wants to go deep at this US Open.
Too often in the recent past, Andy has enjoyed some first-week, five-set thrillers at Grand Slams – and then had little energy left for the business end of tournaments. It could have been the same at this year’s US Open.
All seemed to start well for Murray in his match against the flamboyant Frenchman, Corentin Moutet. He held his nerve during some tense opening exchanges – and then raced away to dominate the first set with some exquisite tennis.
One fading, cross-court backhand drop shot was probably the moment of the night, as all the old mastery returned.
But Moutet wasn’t done. Andy inexplicably dipped. And before we knew it, the underdog was serving for the second set at 5-4.
Battling Murray saved two set points before hitting back to take that one too.
And finally we realised he was going to negotiate this early test with flying colours.
The Scot prevailed 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 – and now faces the superstar Bulgarian, Grigor Dimitrov. That one should be a delight, as both men seek to roll back the years.
But there will be no continued singles adventure at the US Open for the great Venus Williams.
She is the evergreen queen of tennis – and incredibly she has competed at the US Open in four different decades.
But there was little of the fearsome old magician on display against Belgium’s Greet Minnen.
Much as the crowd willed Williams to find some of her former power, it simply wasn’t there – either in her serve or stroke play.
Venus did at least avoid the humiliation of a bagel in both sets, as Minnen romped away 6-1, 6-1.
Andy Murray and Venus Williams at Wimbledon 2024? The die-hard Brit seems more likely to feature strongly than Venus.
But we would love to see all our favourite legends at the All England Club, along with the new generation of superstars.
Will you be there on Centre Court? We can arrange one of the best seats in the house for you at the spiritual home of tennis next summer!