Jessica Bouzas Maneiro beat Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 on P&G Center Court in Cincinnati.
Williams was playing for the first time in three weeks after returning to the court in Washington in her first tournament in 16 months.
Bouzas Maneiro earned two breaks in the first and fifth games to open up a 4-1 lead in the opening set. Williams reeled off four games to draw level to 4-4. Bouzas Maneiro broke serve in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead and converted her second set point in the 10th game after Williams fired a backhand into the net.
Bouzas Maneiro went up a break twice in the first and fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. Williams broke back both times to draw level to 4-4. Bouzas Maneiro earned her third break in the ninth game and earned three match points at 5-4 40-0. Williams saved a match point with a crosscourt winner. Bouzas Maneiro converted her second match point to seal the win.
Bouzas Maneiro won 45%of her second serve points to Williams’ 27.
“It was not easy at all. Williams is a legend, it was a privilege to play against her. The win was like a dream. I never thought that I would ever play Venus. I was just lucky with that. I tried to have a lot of intensity, but I had no rhythm. She hits so hard. I tried to focus. I had to be positive to win the points”, said Bouzas Maneiro.
