WASHINGTON — When Venus Williams’ bid for her first winning streak since 2019 ended with one last forehand that landed long, the spectators at the D.C. Open’s main stadium gave her a standing ovation. She responded with a smile and the sort of pirouette and wave she usually reserves for celebrating wins.

In tennis, players win some and lose some. Some days the ball flies off the racket and they can’t miss. Some days, the ball keeps clanking off the frame. After a career that has lasted 30-plus years and is still going,

Williams, who beat Peyton Stearns earlier in the week to become the oldest winner of a WTA Tour-level match in over 20 years, could not replicate that magic against Frech on Thursday