Williams downs Begu in rain-delayed match to advance to second round at Rogers Cup
TORONTO — After more than 20 years on the WTA Tour, Venus Williams can finally say she won a match in Toronto.
The 37-year-old American, riding a winless streak that spanned five Rogers Cups in the Canadian city, advanced to the second round of the tournament Monday, outlasting a rain delay to beat Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a match that ended close to 11 p.m. ET at Aviva Centre.
“I’ve got to figure out how to play my best tennis here,” Williams said with a laugh. “I enjoy the city, I’ve had a blast, I’ve just never won a match. Twenty-two years in, here I am finally raising up my hands as a winner in Toronto.
“Maybe I should celebrate tonight. I’m going to celebrate by going to bed.”