Williams' Washington run snapped by Frech as Fernandez stuns Pegula

Magdalena Frech was honoured to have gone up against Venus Williams, after the Pole got the better of the seven-time major champion at the Washington Open.

Williams, who beat Peyton Stearns earlier in the week to become the oldest winner of a WTA Tour-level match in over 20 years, could not replicate that magic against Frech on Thursday.

The fifth seed prevailed 6-2 6-2 to reach her first quarter-final of the season.

"[Williams is] a superstar, she's like a god here, so it was very emotional for me to handle this match," Frech said.

"I can't even imagine myself in 17 years to still on the court – no chance!

"It was really a great match and a great honour to play her."

"I can't imagine myself in 17 years on the court. No chance."Utmost respect from @MFrech97 for Venus Williams.#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/mNGrUZkHwS
— wta (@WTA) July 25, 2025

While 45-year-old Williams will now turn her attention to the Cincinnati Open, where she is a wild card, the draw has opened up after top seed Jessica Pegula fell to Leylah Fernandez.

The 2021 US Open runner-up triumphed 6-3 1-6 7-5 in two hours and 19 minutes.

Fernandez will now take on Taylor Townsend for a place in the last four, with the latter having defeated Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-0, while also beating Williams and Hailey Baptiste in the doubles.

Data Debrief: Frech keeps it clean

Frech made just 10 unforced errors in her win over Williams, who in turn made 32 such mistakes.

The 27-year-old has made the quarter-finals of an event for the first time since doing so in Wuhan in October 2024, and now has a third straight win in her sights.

She has not won three consecutive matches since that run to the last eight in China, and will take on Elena Rybakina next.