Americans Emma Navarro and Venus Williams along with doubles partner Hailey Baptiste fell on Day 3 of the Mubadala Citi Open.
Emma Navarro Lost In Straight Sets To Maria Sakkari
Second seed Emma Navarro lost a competitive straight set match to Maria Sakkari 7-5, 7-6. Sakarri won a lopsided second set tiebreak 7-1. Navarro has dealt with sophomore struggles after a successful rookie year on the WTA tour in 2024.
What a way to close it out! 😤
Maria Sakkari’s forehand winner on match point is our @BetMGM shot of the day!#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/7FHGu0C1Lj
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 24, 2025
Sakarri has been working her way back up the rankings after dealing with injuries late last year. Coaching changes have resulted in her returning to Tom Hill who was with her in her successful seasons.
Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste Lose Doubles To Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang
Many forget how successful Venus Williams and Serena Williams were at doubles. They won 14 Grand Slams together, and with the exeption of the 2021 French Open when Venus played with Coco Gauff, they never changed partners.
Venus is now in a mentor role with young and upcoming Maryland native Hailey Baptiste who as a teenager once hit with both Williams sisters. Williams and Baptiste had a tough second round match with Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang. Both Townsend and Zhang have won two Grand Slams but with different partners. Townsend’s usual partner Katerina Siniakova is playing the Prague Open this week.
This was an entertaining doubles match. Townsend and Zhang dominated in the first set, Williams and Baptiste in the second set, and Townsend and Zhang played a better tiebreaker resulting in the win.
Doubles delight 🤝@TaylorTownsend and @zhangshuai121 knock out wild cards Baptiste/Williams 6-4, 3-6 [10-6] to reach the final four in Washington.#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/SnRe4ICF0Z
— wta (@WTA) July 23, 2025
Venus Williams has been the dominant storyline in this tournament so it is a shame to see her exit the doubles stage already.
Watch all of the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open action through July 27 on Tennis Channel.
