Venus Williams falls to Alison Van Uytvanck in US Open first-round match after missing last year’s event

NEW YORK — Venus Williams has been eliminated in the first round of her return to the US Open.

Williams lost 6-1, 7-6 (5) to Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium on Wednesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium, where younger sister Serena won a night earlier.

Venus Williams, 42, was given a wild card into the tournament she first played in 1997, where she was runner-up. She missed the event that she won in 2000 and 2001 last year with an injury.

Williams fell to 0-4 in singles matches this year. She has won at least one match every year since 1994.

Venus and Serena will team up for the doubles competition which begins Wednesday, with first-round matches spread over that day and Thursday. The Williams sisters were drawn to face the Czech pair of Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova in the first round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.