Tennis icon Venus Williams, at 45 years old, began her remarkable 33rd consecutive professional season at the ASB Classic (WTA Auckland) in New Zealand. Her highly anticipated first-round singles match was against Poland's Magda Linette. The original article, 'WTA Auckland Day 2 Predictions Including Venus Williams vs Magda Linette' from Last Word On Sports, was accurately published on January 5, 2026, as a preview of the upcoming match. The actual match took place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, where Linette, ranked No. 52, emerged victorious over Williams with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 after a competitive three-set encounter. Despite the loss, Williams showcased her enduring competitiveness, serving seven aces and displaying strong play against her opponent, who is 12 years her junior. Linette herself acknowledged Williams' impressive level of play, noting her great movement and powerful hitting. Beyond her singles campaign, Venus Williams also participated in the doubles draw at the ASB Classic, partnering with Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. However, their run was cut short in the first round, as they were defeated by the rising duo of Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic. Williams, who received wild-card entries for Auckland, the upcoming Hobart International, and the Australian Open, will continue her 2026 season with further tournaments in Australia. This news is corroborated by numerous credible sports outlets including NZ Herald, Yardbarker, WTA Tour, ASB Classic's official site, and others, confirming the match details and outcome. The headline of the original article was appropriate as a prediction at the time of its publication, with no misinformation or exaggeration detected.