Venus Williams exited in the first round of the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, but the seven-time Grand Slam champion says she feels “amazing” heading into the final stretch of the WTA season .

Williams lost 6-4, 6-4 to 22-year-old Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain, who has emerged as a rising talent on the WTA tour. Despite the straight-sets defeat, Williams highlighted her physical condition and optimism ahead of the U.S. Open, where she will compete in mixed doubles with Reilly Opelka beginning Aug. 19.

“Coming off of this match, I feel amazing,” Williams said, via ESPN News Services. “So that means that in this next period (ahead of the U.S. Open) I won’t have to fix injuries. Now I can work on power and speed instead of trying to just make sure I’m not hurt going into the tournament

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