Irina Begu has marked her third consecutive victory at Bad Homburg, having defeated Venus Williams in a gripping match. On June 22, the 35-year-old Romanian player, currently ranked 211th in the WTA, secured her spot in the round of 16 after prevailing in a challenging opener against the 46-year-old American legend, who holds the 471st position in the rankings.
The match, which lasted three hours, showcased a series of dramatic turns, ultimately leading to Begu’s hard-fought victory with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6).
Begu Advances to Round of 16: “I Am Happy”
“It’s never easy to play against a legend like Venus. I grew up watching the Williams sisters. It was a tough fight to get the win after such a lengthy match. I am happy,” Begu stated, reflecting on her performance.
In the round of 16 at the Bad Homburg tournament, Begu will face Karolina Muchova, the 29-year-old Czech player ranked 11th in the WTA, who has a bye in the first round and will compete starting in the second round.
Begu made her return to tennis at the end of April, after a nine-month hiatus. Her last tournament victory was at Iași on July 20, 2025, after which she took a break to focus on her mental health.
“Everyone was asking, ‘Why stop after winning a tournament?’ After Iași, I didn’t feel well at all. Even though I had just won a tournament, it was a daily struggle to wake up, train, and have energy,” Begu explained after qualifying for the round of 16 at Bad Homburg. “I told myself that I needed to stop, rest, and take care of my health. I think it was a good idea. I feel much better now,” she added.
