Ajla Tomljanovic came from behind to beat Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1 in the first round of the ATX Open. The 32-year-old Australian advanced to face Iva Jovic after the teenager's win over Anna Blinkova. In another match, Dalma Galfi overcame Bianca Andreescu in three sets.
In the opening round of the ATX Open on February 24, 2026, Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1, marking the 45-year-old American's seventh consecutive loss. Tomljanovic, ranked No. 74 and a semifinalist in Austin last year, trailed 3-1 in the first set after Williams broke early with vintage winners and capitalized on double faults. However, the Australian turned the match around, winning the final three games of the set with a sliced winner that clipped the tape.
The second set was more one-sided, as Tomljanovic saved break points to hold for 2-1 and then broke for a 5-1 lead, securing victory in 1 hour and 34 minutes. Reflecting on the win, Tomljanovic said in her on-court interview: "But somehow Venus and Serena tend to bring the best out in me mentally. Because I always think, 'What would they do in that moment?' I try to make it work for me, instead of against me."
She added that she channels her 2022 US Open win over Serena Williams, which ended the 23-time major champion's career: "I constantly, in the last four years, try to channel how I was in that match against Serena. Because I've never felt that since."
Tomljanovic, who had not faced Venus before, joins Bianca Andreescu as one of only two players undefeated against both Williams sisters. Williams, a wildcard entry ranked No. 560, will next compete at Indian Wells in singles and doubles.
Earlier, No. 2 seed Iva Jovic, 18, beat Anna Blinkova 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour and 23 minutes, advancing to face Tomljanovic. Jovic, born in 2007 when Williams was already a six-time major champion, becomes the top seed after Jessica Pegula's withdrawal due to a left knee injury.
In the other featured match, Dalma Galfi edged Bianca Andreescu 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in 2 hours and 11 minutes. Andreescu, returning to WTA main-draw action after October's Tokyo event, had a strong ITF season with a 13-1 record and two titles but fell short after saving match points in the decider.
