Magdalena Frech vs Venus Williams Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Frech to end Venus' dream comeback in second round

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 24 Jul 2025 06:34

Andrew Hendrie 24 Jul 2025

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Magdalena Frech vs Venus Williams predictions for Thursday's WTA Washington R2
Venus became the oldest tour-level singles match winner since 2004 with her R1 win
Frech hasn't won back-to-back matches since the Australian Open
The match is scheduled to start around 9.30am AEST on Friday July 25

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Magdalena Frech (Photo by Getty Images)

Magdalena Frech vs Venus Williams Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Venus Williams targets an unlikely quarter-final at the Citi DC Open on Thursday night when she meets fifth seed Magdalena Frech in the second round in Washington.

Magdalena Frech vs Venus Williams Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Magdalena Frech Form
Venus Williams Form
Live Stream

It was an extraordinary comeback for Venus in her Washington opener, with the 45-year-old winning her first match since 2023 with a straight sets triumph over Peyton Stearns. The seven-time major champion was thundering down serves and blasting forehands like it was the year 2000, when she won her first two slams at Wimbledon and the US Open. Now it begs the question - can Venus repeat that performance in the second round?

As much as I'd like to say yes, I can't see it happening. It's actually a great draw - Frech has struggled all season and hasn't won back-to-back matches since reaching the third round of the Australian Open in January. However, it's so tough to back up at the best of times, let alone when you're 45 years of age and also playing doubles. Match fitness is just so important on tour these days and Venus has played one in 16 months. I'd be surprised if Frech dropped a set here.

Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Magdalena Frech Form

It's been a difficult season for Frech, who comes into this showdown with a negative 9-18 record but still maintaining a ranking inside the top 30.

That's because Frech enjoyed a particularly fruitful period of the season this time last year, making the final of Prague, winning the WTA 500 title in Guadalajara and reaching the quarter-finals of the 1000 event in Wuhan. Once those points come off, Frech will be out of the top 50 and fighting to remain in the top 100.

Frech hasn't won two matches in a row since making the third round of the Australian Open in January and will be aiming to snap that drought here in Washington.

The Pole was a dominant 6-2 6-4 winner over Yuliia Starodubtseva in her opening round.

Venus Williams Form

Venus has one match in the last 16 months to analyse, but what a beauty it was, with the legendary former World No. 1 conquering Peyton Stearns (who's ranked in the top 35) 6-4 6-3 in her Washington opener.

The win means that 45-year-old Venus is the oldest player to win a tour-level singles match since a 47-year-old Martina Navratilova prevailed in her first round at Wimbledon in 2004.

Venus was playing her first match since Miami 2024 and earned her first victory since Cincinnati 2023, which was also over a top 35 player in Veronika Kudermetova.

It was a trademark performance from Venus, who won 70 per cent of her first serve points, but it was a nervous finish as she needed six match points before closing out the victory.