Serena and Venus Williams suffered a heartbreaking loss in the opening round of the US Open women's doubles, falling to the young pairing of Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching after a marathon three‑hour, two‑minute battle. The match was a roller‑coaster from start to finish, with the Williams sisters clawing back to force a deciding 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). The defeat was especially poignant because it marked the sisters' first Grand Slam partnership since they last teamed up at the 2022 US Open, a tournament they first captured together 27 years earlier. The Williams duo carries a staggering résumé: 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns together, two US Open titles, three Olympic gold medals, and an additional 30 Grand Slam singles titles split between them. Their combined legacy spans more than two decades of dominance on the court.
Maya Joint, the 20‑year‑old Australian who had already made headlines by defeating Serena on Centre Court at Wimbledon earlier in the summer, faced the legends in front of a roaring crowd of roughly 23,000 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Joint described the experience as "super special," adding that both Williams sisters were her idols growing up in Michigan. "I’m lost for words," she said, "to think I got to play them twice in one tournament." The atmosphere was electric, with the stadium reverberating as each point was contested. The Williams sisters, aged 44 and 46, entered the match on wild‑card entries and were greeted with cheers that echoed to the rafters.
Their chemistry was evident as they traded aggressive volleys and powerful groundstrokes, at times appearing to turn back the clock. A particularly striking moment came when Venus executed a deep, penetrating volley that Serena answered with a swinging winner, prompting the entire arena to rise to its feet. However, the first set slipped away after two crucial breaks of Serena’s serve—serves that had looked sharp during her recent Wimbledon run and a mixed‑doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz.
The Williams sisters regrouped in the second set, pushing it to a tiebreak and eventually clinching it after a decisive overhead from Joint floated long, giving them a fifth set point that they finally converted. The third set was a historic one for the pair; it was the first time they had reached 5‑5 in a deciding set since 2001.
Yet, as the tension mounted, the sisters faltered. A mis‑timed volley from Chan at match point sealed the comeback, and the young Australian‑Taiwanese duo celebrated a victory that will be remembered for years. The United States Tennis Association confirmed that the Williams sisters would not be available for comment after the match. Meanwhile, speculation about Serena’s future swirled when former world No.
1 Caroline Wozniacki, now an ESPN analyst, suggested that Serena might be planning a return to singles competition next season. Beyond the doubles drama, the tournament continued to produce thrilling singles action. Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas rebounded from an opening‑set loss 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 semifinalist, earned a showdown with Tsitsipas after overcoming Denis Shapovalov in four sets.
Shelton, the top‑ranked American in men’s singles, survived a grueling three‑hour‑23‑minute match, winning 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 and even unleashing a blistering 147 mph serve at one point. The winner of that encounter will face Tsitsipas on Sunday. Fans can follow the ongoing action live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. The tournament also serves as a lead‑in to the Laver Cup, which will be held at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 and broadcast on Sky Sports.
The Williams sisters’ defeat may mark the end of an era, but their impact on tennis remains indelible. Their ability to inspire a new generation—exemplified by Joint’s admiration—underscores the lasting legacy of Serena and Venus, who continue to shape the sport both on and off the court.