Serena and Venus Williams suffered a heartbreaking exit in the first 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 legendary sisters clawing back to force a deciding set tie‑break, only to squander a 5‑0 advantage and ultimately lose 6‑3, 6‑7 (8‑6), 7‑6 (10‑7). The Williams duo, who had not teamed up at a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open, were playing together for the first time in 27 years since their inaugural title at Flushing Meadows. Their comeback in the second set was reportedly inspired by Serena’s daughter, who urged her mother to keep fighting.
The sisters carry a combined résumé that spans more than two decades: fourteen Grand Slam doubles crowns together, two US Open titles, three Olympic gold medals, and an additional thirty Grand Slam singles championships between them. Their storied partnership has become a benchmark for excellence in tennis history. For 20‑year‑old Australian Maya Joint, the night was a personal milestone. Earlier in the tournament, she had stunned Serena on Centre Court at Wimbledon, and later that evening she faced the Williams sisters in front of a roaring crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Joint described the experience as "super special" and admitted she was "lost for words" to be playing against her idols. Growing up in Michigan, she had long admired the Williams sisters, and the opportunity to meet them twice in one season felt surreal.
The match itself was a showcase of veteran skill versus youthful vigor. Both Serena, 44, and Venus, 46, entered the contest on wild‑card entries, and each point they won was met with cheers that echoed through the packed arena.
Commentators noted that despite their combined age of 90, the sisters displayed flashes of the speed and agility that made them dominant in their prime. A particularly memorable exchange saw Venus volley deep into the court, only for Serena to follow up with a powerful swinging winner that sent the crowd to its feet. However, the sisters’ service games began to falter at crucial moments.
Two early breaks of Serena’s serve—an area where she had looked solid during Wimbledon and in a mixed‑doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz the previous week—gave Joint and Chan the edge in the opening set. The Williams sisters rallied in the second set, pushing the tie‑break to a decisive point where Joint’s overhead shot drifted long, allowing the sisters to level the match.
The third set marked the first time the pair had reached a 5‑5 scoreline in a deciding set since 2001. Yet, as the tension mounted, errors crept in. A mis‑timed volley from Chan at a critical juncture sealed the victory for the younger team, ending the Williams sisters’ valiant comeback attempt.
Following the loss, the United States Tennis Association confirmed that neither Serena nor Venus would be available for comment. Nonetheless, speculation about Serena’s future remains lively. ESPN analyst Caroline Wozniacki suggested that Serena may be considering a return to singles competition next season, a prospect that would generate significant excitement among fans.
The day’s action continued beyond the doubles court. Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas rebounded from a first‑set deficit to defeat Czech 18th seed 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, 2023 US Open semi‑finalist Ben Shelton secured a place in the next round by overcoming Denis Shapovalov in four sets. Despite a high number of unforced errors, Shelton prevailed 7‑6 (3), 6‑7 (5), 6‑3, 6‑4 in a marathon match lasting three hours and 23 minutes, at one point unleashing a blistering 147‑mph serve down the centre of the court.
The 23‑year‑old now awaits a showdown with Tsitsipas on Sunday. Fans can follow the ongoing tournament live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. The US Open’s coverage also includes ancillary events such as the Laver Cup, which will be held at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 and broadcast on Sky Sports. The tournament continues to deliver drama, historic moments, and the timeless appeal of tennis at the highest level.