Venus Williams vs Dayana Yastremska Cincinnati Open 2020: Preview, Head-to-head and Prediction

After 26 years on the professional women’s tour, Venus Williams is still gunning for more. The older Williams sister is set to open her campaign at the Western and Southern Open 2020 against 16th seed Dayana Yastremska. The 40-year-old Venus Williams will take on the 20-year-old Ukrainian in what promises to be an exciting battle of generations at the first major WTA event since the return of tennis.

How Venus Williams and Dayana Yastremska have fared on return

Williams made her return to the court at the recently played WTA event in Lexington last week. Williams looked in top form as she swept aside former Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka in straight sets. She then faced her sister Serena Williams in the next round where she lost in a hard-fought contest. Before her match against sister Serena, Venus exuded confidence, saying that she wanted to face the toughest of opponents to help find her game in the build-up to the US Open.

At the Cincinnati Open, Williams will get her wish if she progresses to the later round as the likes of Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova are drawn in the same section. But first, she will have to get through a potentially tough battle against Yastremska.

The Ukrainian youngster has also already made her return to tennis. She played at the WTA Palermo Open, where she reached the quarter-final. She wasted a match point against Camila Giorgi in that match and lost. Yastremska had a great start of the season before the Tour was stopped. She beat top-10 opponents including Aryna Sabalenka and Sofia Kenin. Dayana reached the final of the Adelaide International, where she lost to world number one Ashleigh Barty. Even at Palermo, she looked strong.

Head-to-head record

This is the first meeting between the two players on the WTA Tour.

Prediction: Wiliams vs Yastremska

Williams and Yastremska will face off in the fourth match on Grandstand. This match has all the ingredients of an epic contest. Williams will use her aggressive serve and forehand combination to set up the points. Yastremska is expected to counter Williams from the back of the court, hoping to keep the seven-time Grand Slam champion from approaching the net.

The key for Williams will be how well she serves in the first place. Yastremska has a strong baseline game and can match Williams in that aspect. The key for Yastremska will be taking it deep, forcing Williams to play longer rallies. That’s where the age factor could come into play.

We could very well be in for a tough three-set contest. Yastremska will look to add another big win to the bag and is expected to be fearless. But Williams is as hungry for success as always, and she will bring her A-game in familiar conditions at a venue where she has won so much.

Therefore, the prediction would be Venus Williams might go on to win in three sets.