CNN
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Vance Williams overcame the years with a vintage performance to secure their first win against a Top 20 Player in four years
Williams, 43, defeated Russian Veronika Kudarmitova 6-4 7-5 in the first round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Monday.
Kudermetova is seeded 16th in the tournament and was expected to overtake Williams, but the seven-time Grand Slam winner had other ideas.
“Surely the satisfaction from today is all the work that only comes into existence here,” experienced American said After the win.
“I did my best to get in the best shape possible to come here as soon as possible. So it makes it satisfying, to be able to get the win with so little time to prepare.”
In both sets, Williams found herself down 4-1 and on the back foot, but, as on many occasions throughout her career, she found a way back.
“I think at some point when you’re down a double break, you start thinking, ‘OK, I want to at least hold serve for the rest of this set,'” Williams said. Williams said. “Simple thoughts like that. Then you get a little bit closer. You’re like, ‘OK, maybe I just want to win one more point.’
“There were definitely some big holes today that I don’t normally play … but that’s tennis. That’s what’s so exciting.”
Williams will now wait to see who she faces in the next round in Cincinnati as she continues her preparations ahead of the 2023 US Open.
Her previous victory against a top 20 opponent also came at the Western & Southern Open in 2019 when she defeated Kiki Brittens in the second round.