TORONTO (AP) — Kamilla Rakhimova beat Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1 in a rain-delayed match Sunday to kick off the National Bank Open women’s main draw.
Granted a singles wild-card entry at the WTA 1000 event, the 46-year-old Williams has lost 12 straight matches dating to July 2025.
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Kamilla Rakhimova celebrates after a point against Venus Williams during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams plays a return against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams reacts while playing against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams plays a return against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams plays a return against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
“We play outside … you can’t control the weather,” Williams said. “But the fans were amazing. They were with me right in every point — that was fantastic. I was just fighting to put the ball on the court."
The 24-year-old Rakhimova is from Uzbekistan. She's ranked 82nd in the world.
“Playing Venus is not an everyday experience,” Rakhimova said. “I’m very glad to actually get a chance to play against her. I was looking forward to that match. I knew it was going to be a center-court match. I was trying to enjoy my time on it, no matter what the result."
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Kamilla Rakhimova celebrates after a point against Venus Williams during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams plays a return against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams reacts while playing against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams plays a return against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Venus Williams plays a return against Kamilla Rakhimova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rookie sensation Olivia Miles spearheaded an efficient offense with 28 points, Courtney Williams added 27 points, and the Minnesota Lynx won their 10th straight game with a 108-100 victory over the Indiana Fever on Sunday.
There was a rally outside the Target Center that pitted those supporting Fever reserve Sophie Cunningham, who told ESPN last week she believed trans athletes should not play against girls, against those with the opposite feeling. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt that read, “Trans kids belong,” and had a pregame conversation with Cunningham, who was booed throughout the game.
"Both of us understand that we have platforms and we both talked about wanting to, more than anything, educate,” Reeve said after the contest.
Minnesota had a 96-82 lead with 6:41 to play before the Fever, who had scored 100 in a record six-straight games, pulled within 100-98 with more than 2 1/2 minutes to go. Miles and Williams both came up with big baskets as the Lynx won their 10th straight for the first time since 2016.
“First time playing each other, so there’s a bit of a feeling out sort of thing," Reeve said. "And offense definitely had their way with each of the teams’ defense. Certainly knew it probably wasn’t going to be sustained, and it wasn’t. We were hoping at some point our defense could be a separator.
“We felt like we had to really fight to win, and glad we glad we did that. The next time we play them, each team is going to have a lot more information.”
The league’s No. 1 offense definitely made life difficult for the league’s No. 2 defense, but the Fever, who played in Portland on Friday night, struggled to stop the Lynx on the offensive end. Both teams shot 57% and both had 11 3-pointers and went 11 of 15 from the foul line. They also combined for 55 assists. The big difference was Indiana had 12 turnovers to six for Minnesota, which had an 11-5 edge in offensive rebounds and 9-0 advantage in fast-break points.
Napheesa Collier had 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Lynx (25-6). Natasha Howard scored 13 points and Kayla McBride 10.
The Fever (19-11), who had their five-game winning streak halted, were led by Kelsey Mitchell with 37 points, her fifth 30-point game of the season and 14th straight 20-point game, second in league history behind A'ja Wilson's 15-straight in a single season. Caitlin Clark added 19 points and 10 assists and Aliyah Boston had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
“We were just a little bit of a step slow," Clark said of the defense. “ Proud of our group for finding ways to adjust, and that’s what you have to do versus a really good team.”
Both teams got off to a blistering start with Minnesota leading 36-32 after one quarter, tying the league record for most points in an opening period. Mitchell had 16 points in the first period, but Miles had 14 in the second and the Lynx led 64-53 at the break.
The crowd, listed as 16,505, certainly had plenty of Fever fans. That's not a surprise given that Clark grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, which is about 3 1/2 hours away.
“It was weird hearing fans cheer when the other team scored,” Miles said. “Both ways, there was cheering for baskets and it was just loud in there. The energy, it's what you want as a basketball player.”
Fever: Home against Las Vegas on Thursday.
Lynx: Home against Los Angeles on Thursday.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) celebrates with teammates after making a basket during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, left, dribbles downcourt as Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, left, and guard Olivia Miles (5) stand on the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Fans wear shirts saying "Trans Kids Belong In Sports" during a WNBA basketball game between the Minnesota Lynx and the Indiana Fever Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, right, stand on the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
