MASON, Ohio — Venus Williams’ return to professional tennis will not just be a one-tournament visit: She was awarded a wild-card entry for the Cincinnati Open. The 45-year-old Williams is participating in her first event in more than a year at the DC Open and won first-round matches in both singles and doubles.

Williams hits some of her familiar big serves and groundstrokes while beating Peyton Stearns, 23, to become the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova did it at

Venus Williams' comeback might result in a US Open spot, but it's unclear if the 45-year-old seven-time Grand Slam title winner will request one.