Something extraordinary happened in Venus Williams’ first-round match yesterday in the Birmingham Classic. Venus notched up her first victory over a top 50 player in four long years when she beat Camila Giorgi 7-6,4-6,7-6. However, the highlight of the match was her slip on the grass and Giorgi’s unsportsmanlike reaction to it. Despite giving her fans a scare, Venus fought hard and converted her second match point in the third set and won the match in style. This immediately prompted her sister Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian to take to Instagram and give his appreciative opinion of her. Ohanian, the founder of Reddit, is always active on social media and didn’t waste any time in praising Venus.

This match against Giorgi was a very key match for Williams ahead of Wimbledon and it went her way, to the joy of her fans and well-wishers worldwide. The victory was especially sweet because it was a hard-fought win with both of them going neck and neck, and the difference between the victor and the loser being so slim.

Alexis Ohanian’s jubilant praise of Venus Williams

Alexis Ohanian put out an Instagram story hailing the exploits of Venus Williams. He also posted Williams’ post where she had written “3 hours and 16 minutes later its a win. This just makes me hungrier. Let’s go!”

His elation was clearly evident in his story. Ohanian commended Williams’ passion for the sport as he wrote, “Hell yes sis!!!, @Venus Williams is all heart”. He loved the fact that Williams despite her deterioration in form, injury concerns, and being 43 years of age, was able to break those barriers and emerge victorious.

Thus, his overwhelming joy is totally justified. It seems they are looking to deal with one match at a time and not look too far ahead, as there is a prospect of her Williams having to face the onerous Jelena Ostapenko in the next round.

Read more: 42-Year-Old Venus Williams Raises Fan Expectations as She Teases ‘The Start of Something Big’

What lies ahead for Venus?

Venus Williams’ next opponent in the Birmingham classic is either Linda Noskova or Jelena Ostapenko and she would want to be ready both physically as well as mentally to take on any of them. Venus, a former world no.1, is not a player to shy away from challenges, but age is not on her side. But anyway, as they say, class is permanent. If things go her way, she has a realistic chance of enjoying a good run at the Wimbledon Championships.

It is true when Ohanian says that Venus Williams is all heart because. Even at the age of 43, she is still giving her all in the tennis court and playing her heart out. And again, this match against Giorgi would serve as a great morale booster as she found a way to win despite her injury scare.

How far do you think Venus will in the Birmingham Classic? Let us know in the comments.

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