On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Ajla Tomljanovic will meet Venus Williams in the opening round of the ATX Open, a WTA 250 tournament held in Austin, Texas. The contest will take place on outdoor hard courts, with a total prize fund of $283,347 at stake. Fans can watch the match on the Tennis Channel in the United States, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, and TSN, TVA Sports, DAZN, and WTA TV in Canada.
Preview of the Players’ Recent Form
Venus Williams, at 45 years old, continues to compete despite early-round losses this season in Hobart, Auckland, and Melbourne. In the Australian Open, she was defeated in the first round by Olga Danilovic in three sets, ending after two hours and seventeen minutes with a score of 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in Danilovic’s favor. Last year, Williams advanced to the last 16 in Washington but was overwhelmed by Magdalena Frech, losing 6-2, 6-2.
Ajla Tomljanovic has also experienced a challenging start to 2026, exiting early from Brisbane, Hobart, and Melbourne tournaments. During the Australian Open, she beat Yuliia Starodubtseva before falling to Elena Gabriela Ruse in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. This year marks her second participation at the ATX Open; she reached the semifinals in the previous edition but was defeated by Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Tomljanovic will be aiming to improve upon that performance in Austin.
Historic Matchup: First-Ever Meeting
Venus Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic have never competed against each other in a professional match before, making this their debut head-to-head encounter.
Match Odds and Betting Considerations
According to BetMGM, Ajla Tomljanovic is the favored player to win this round given her relatively stronger recent performances compared to Williams. However, Williams’ experience as a six-time Grand Slam champion and her proven ability to challenge younger opponents should not be underestimated.
How the Match Is Expected to Unfold
Williams nearly secured her first win of this season during the Australian Open, demonstrating she remains a formidable opponent on tour despite her age. Her game is characterized by powerful groundstrokes and strategic shot-making. On the other side, Tomljanovic relies on her inventive style of play and effective backhand. While Tomljanovic enters as the clear favorite, the match is expected to be competitive, likely extending to three sets.
Strategies and Tips for Betting
For those placing wagers, it is advisable to consider that the match will probably feature more than 20 games, reflecting the potential for extended sets. Additionally, Venus Williams may have to save more than four break points during the contest, indicative of her resilience on court.
