Venus Williams added another historic chapter to her legendary career at the Australian Open on Sunday, becoming the oldest woman ever to compete in the tournament's singles main draw. The 45-year-old nearly authored a stunning victory before ultimately falling to Serbia's Olga Danilović in a gripping three-set first-round battle.

Williams seized the first set in a tiebreak, 7-6 (5), making her the oldest woman to win a set at the Australian Open. After dropping the second set 6-3, she stormed to a 4-0 lead in the decider before her opponent mounted a remarkable comeback to claim the match 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, Williams left the court with a smile. "It was an amazing journey on the court today," she told the Associated Press. "I’m really proud of my effort... I’m playing better with each match. Right now, I’m just going to have to keep going forward."

Danilović, who advances to face fourth seed Coco Gauff, called the experience "a pleasure" and paid tribute to the icon she had just defeated.

Elsewhere on Day One, top seeds had no such drama. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Australia's Adam Walton in straight sets, while women's world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka dispatched her opponent with similar ease. The day's most significant upset saw men's 20th seed Flavio Cobolli, reportedly battling illness, fall to Britain's Arthur Fery.

For the United States, it was a mixed opening. Frances Tiafoe delivered a straight-sets win, but Jenson Brooksby and Zachary Svajda joined Williams in defeat. The spotlight now shifts to other American hopefuls, including Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, as the first round continues.