NEW YORK: Venus Williams battled bravely before bowing out of the US Open on her return to Grand Slam tennis on Monday as Spanish ace Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the second round with a dominant opening win. The second full day of action in New York saw all eyes turn to the Arthur Ashe Stadium’s night session, where the 45-year-old Williams lost in three sets to 11th seed Karolina Muchova. Williams only returned to competitive tennis in July following a 16-month absence from the sport and had been granted a wild card into the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

The seven-times major champion is making her 25th appearance in a US Open, facing Karolína Muchová in the same Arthur Ashe Stadium she helped christen in 1997

The best matches of day 2 include Williams' return to the singles at 45, Alcaraz's tricky opener and Victoria Mboko's debut as a seed.

Rolling report: Venus Williams and Karolina Muchova meet in the first round of the US Open inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Follow along with Bryan Graham

Venus Williams’ 25th US Open singles appearance ended with defeat to Karolína Muchová, despite a stirring second-set comeback by the 45-year-old

NEW YORK: Venus Williams battled bravely before bowing out of the US Open on her return to Grand Slam tennis on Monday as Spanish ace Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the second round…

Venus Williams’ 25th US Open singles appearance ended with defeat to Karolína Muchová, despite a stirring second-set comeback by the 45-year-old

Few people gave Venus Williams a chance on her US Open return - so a gallant defeat felt like victory for the 45-year-old after her debilitating health issues.

Il n.2 spagnolo: 'Sinner? non credo di mettergli pressione'. Passa Cobolli (ANSA)

Buona la prima per Carlos Alcaraz che ha inaugurato il suo percorso agli Us Open con un nuovo look (capelli rasati a zeri 'da marine') e soprattutto un successo in tre set su…

The 45-year-old and 14-time Grand Slam women's doubles champion teamed up with her Canadian partner to take out the No. 6 seeds.