Serena and Venus Williams suffered a painful exit in the opening round of the US Open women's doubles, falling to the young pairing of Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching after an exhausting three‑hour, two‑minute battle. The match unfolded as a roller‑coaster, with the Williams sisters clawing back to force a decisive third‑set tiebreak after surrendering a 5-0 lead in that final breaker. Ultimately, Joint and Chan prevailed 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 7-6 (10-7). This encounter marked the sisters' first Grand Slam partnership since their 2022 US Open appearance, a reunion that came 27 years after they first captured the doubles crown together.
The weight of history was palpable; together they have amassed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, two US Open doubles victories, three Olympic gold medals, and an additional 30 Grand Slam singles crowns between them. Serena, who noted that the decision to push for a comeback was inspired by a suggestion from her daughter, emphasized how much the moment meant to her and her sister.
For Maya Joint, a 20‑year‑old Australian, the night was a personal milestone. Earlier in the tournament she had upset Serena on Centre Court in the women’s singles at Wimbledon, and now she found herself sharing the Arthur Ashe Stadium spotlight with the two legends in front of a crowd of roughly 23,000 fans.
"Playing against such icons is incredibly special," Joint said on court, her voice trembling with awe. "I’m at a loss for words. Both sisters are my idols.
Growing up in Michigan, I always looked up to them. To face them twice in one tournament is a dream come true." The Williams sisters entered the match as wild‑card entries, a nod to their enduring popularity and the tournament’s desire to showcase their legacy. The arena erupted each time they won a point, the rafters echoing with cheers that seemed to momentarily turn back the clock.
At times, the duo displayed the same ferocity that made them dominant in the early 2000s; a blistering volley from Venus was answered by a powerful forehand winner from Serena, prompting the crowd to rise to its feet. However, the first set slipped away after two crucial breaks of Serena’s serve.
Despite having shown strong service games at Wimbledon and in a recent mixed‑doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz, Serena’s serve faltered at critical junctures, allowing Joint and Chan to take the opening set. The sisters responded in the second set, digging deep to force another tiebreak.
After a tense exchange of points, a mis‑timed overhead from Joint drifted long, giving the Williams sisters the set and extending the match to a third set for the first time since 2001. The final set was a nail‑biting affair, with both teams exchanging holds until the score reached 5-5, triggering a third‑set tiebreak—the first such scenario for the sisters in over two decades. In those high‑pressure moments, experience alone was not enough.
Joint’s composure shone through; a decisive volley from Chan at match point sealed the upset, ending the Williams sisters’ comeback hopes. The United States Tennis Association confirmed that the sisters would not be available for comment after the loss. Nonetheless, speculation about Serena’s future continues.
ESPN analyst Caroline Wozniacki suggested that Serena may be planning a return to singles competition next season, a prospect that has fans buzzing with anticipation. Beyond the women's doubles drama, the tournament featured several notable singles performances. Stefanos Tsitsipas, revitalised after dropping the first set, rallied to defeat 18th‑seeded Czech Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, advancing to the fourth round for the first time in his career.
American 11th‑seed Frances Tiafoe dispatched Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. In the men’s draw, Ben Shelton, a 2023 US Open semi‑finalist, earned a showdown with Tsitsipas after overcoming Denis Shapovalov in four sets. Shelton’s match was a showcase of power and resilience; despite a series of unforced errors, he clinched a 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 victory in a grueling 3‑hour‑23‑minute contest, even delivering a 147 mph serve that rattled his opponent.
The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will be shown on Sky Sports as well.
Overall, the Williams sisters’ defeat underscored both the relentless passage of time and the enduring excitement they bring to the sport. While their run ended earlier than hoped, the match provided a thrilling narrative of legacy, emerging talent, and the timeless allure of Grand Slam competition.