Arabic version: فينوس ويليامز تخسر أمام ليلي تاغر في غوانغجو

According to BBC News, former world number one Venus Williams was beaten 6-2 6-2 by 18-year-old Lilli Tagger at the Guangzhou Open on Tuesday. The defeat was Williams’ 16th in a row and left the 46-year-old American without a singles win in 2026.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, is ranked 599th in the world and has not won a match since July 2025. She relies on wildcards to enter WTA tournaments, a situation that has continued debate about whether those places should instead go to younger players seeking to develop their careers. Tournament organisers, however, see commercial value in inviting an all-time great.

The 28-year age gap between Williams and Tagger is the biggest between opponents in a WTA match this decade and among the largest in tour-level history. Williams won six of her Grand Slam singles titles and 30 WTA tournaments before Tagger was born in February 2008.

Tagger, ranked 53rd, said she was excited and nervous when she saw the draw because she respects Williams. The 2025 French Open girls’ champion was strong on serve, dropping seven service points and not facing a break point. Williams saved 12 of 16 break points and continued to compete, while Guangzhou spectators offered enthusiastic support and gave her a huge ovation as she left the court.