The opening day of women’s main draw play at the 2024 Miami Open presented by Itau saw seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams playing her second event of the season at Hologic WTA Tour on Tuesday.
In action against 19-year-old Diana Shnaider, Williams, on a comeback trail from injury, fell 6-3, 6-3 after one hour and 19 minutes on the Grandstand hard court.
Shnaider, who earned her first WTA title this season in Hua Hin, battled against the fierce 43-year-old competitor, who put to good use her wealth of experience to balance the lack of rhythm in her game.
Williams broke early in the first set to earn a 3-2 advantage before her adversary charged back, converting her first break on her way to close out 6-3.
As play resumed, the American player continued to challenge Shnaider, breaking twice to open a 3-1 gap against a rival who found the edge she needed over the 49-time WTA titlist with her powerful left-handed forehand, paving the way to a straight-set victory.
All in all, the former world number one hit 15 winners, committing 24 unforced errors compared to the WTA 125K Series Charleston runner-up, 22 and 14, respectively.
On Friday, Shnaider will face off against former US Open champion Madison Keys for the first time at tour level.
Early in January, Keys, 29, skipped the Australian Open due to a shoulder injury, returning to official competition at the BNP Paribas Open held in Indian Wells.
Currently ranked at No. 19, Keys lost to Yulia Putintseva in the second round at Tennis Paradise.
Elsewhere, Dane Caroline Wozniacki, who accepted a wild card to play at the event, took on French player Clara Burel, producing a 6-1, 6-4 win in 78 minutes.
A finalist in Miami in 2017, Wozniacki will meet 32nd seed Anhelina Kalinina in the second round.
Earlier, Emma Raducanu withdrew from the tournament with a lower back injury.
“I have been experiencing lower back pain, and at this stage of my return to competition, I don’t want to risk anything happening,” she stated.
“I really tried my best to be ready, and I’m sad to be pulling out of Miami as it’s a cool tournament. I wish the event all the best.”