Peyton Stearns vs Venus Williams Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - 45-year-old Venus makes comeback in Washington

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Tue 22 Jul 2025 03:55

Andrew Hendrie 22 Jul 2025

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Peyton Stearns vs Venus Williams predictions for Tuesday's WTA Washington R1 match
Venus is playing her first tournament in 16 months at 45 years of age
Stearns has lost four of her last five matches
The match is scheduled to start around 9.30am AEST on Wednesday July 23

Expired

Venus Williams (Photo by Getty Images)

Peyton Stearns vs Venus Williams Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Venus Williams makes a highly-anticipated return to tennis in Washington on Tuesday night when she faces countrywoman Peyton Stearns in the opening round.

Peyton Stearns vs Venus Williams Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Peyton Stearns Form
Venus Williams Form
Live Stream

After a 16-month layoff, Venus is back at 45 years of age after receiving a wildcard into the 500-level Citi DC Open in Washington. Venus played just two tournaments in 2024 (Indian Wells and Miami) and has only won three matches since the 2022 US Open. However, after stating there's more to her comeback than just one tournament and that's she's been striking the ball well in practice, Venus clearly thinks she can make a decent impact during this North American hardcourt summer.

Stearns isn't a bad opening round opponent either - she's lost four of her last five matches and will no doubt be feeling a bit of pressure coming into this clash against a legendary compatriot. There's no doubt Stearns wins (she's $1.02 with most bookies), but I can see Venus doing enough here to push this Over 16.5 total games, which will be the best bet for this encounter.

Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Peyton Stearns Form

Stearns heads into this contest with a 17-15 record on the season and at No. 35 in the world, with a two-tournament run on clay really saving her year.

Indeed, eight of Stearns' 17 wins in 2025 came in Madrid and Rome, where she played some brilliant tennis to make the R16 (lost to Sabalenka) and semi-finals respectively.

The American was on fire in Rome, winning three consecutive matches in a deciding-set tiebreak over Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina before going down to eventual champion Jasmine Paolini.

However, Stearns' level has dropped alarmingly over the last couple of months - she's lost four of her last five matches, including one-sided defeats to Eva Lys and Laura Siegemund in the first round of Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Venus Williams Form

Obviously no form whatsoever on the board for Venus heading into this contest, with the legendary American (who is currently unranked) receiving a wildcard for this tournament.

The 45-year-old competed in two tournaments last year, losing in the opening round of Indian Wells and Miami to Nao Hibino and Diana Shnaider.

However, Venus never officially hung up the racquets and she's now aiming for a comeback that she says will be longer than just this lone tournament.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion already has a win under her belt in Washington, teaming with Hailey Baptiste to defeat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round of the doubles event.

Live Stream

Watch and bet on Peyton Stearns vs Venus Williams live Citi DC Open tennis from Washington.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Washington with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Peyton Stearns v Venus Williams

Tough match to bet on, but I'm liking Over 16.5 total games.

Venus will have all the crowd support and she wouldn't be competing if she didn't feel she could be competitive. Stearns, save for two events, has also been having a poor year, losing four of her last five matches.