Serena and Venus Williams suffered a painful defeat 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 unfolded as a dramatic seesaw, with the veteran sisters clawing back to force a third‑set tiebreak before ultimately surrendering a 5‑0 advantage and losing 6‑3, 6‑7 (8‑6), 7‑6 (10‑7). This encounter marked the Williams sisters' first Grand Slam appearance together since their 2022 US Open run, and it came 27 years after they first captured the tournament's doubles crown. Their legacy is staggering: 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a team, two US Open doubles victories, three Olympic gold medals, and an additional 30 Grand Slam singles titles split between them.
The weight of that history was palpable on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where a crowd of roughly 23,000 watched the drama unfold. The young Australian, 20‑year‑old Maya Joint, had already made headlines earlier in the fortnight by upsetting Serena on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Facing the Williams sisters in New York felt like a full‑circle moment for her. "Playing against legends like Serena and Venus is incredibly special," Joint said after the match.
"I'm speechless. They're my idols – I grew up watching them in Michigan, so to share the court with them twice is a dream come true." The Williams sisters entered the match as wild‑card entries, a nod to their enduring popularity and the excitement they bring to any event. Their presence was celebrated with cheers that rose to the rafters, and the atmosphere was electric despite the eventual outcome.
Commentators, including former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, hinted that Serena may be contemplating a return to singles competition next season, adding another layer of intrigue to the match. Even at a combined age of 90, the sisters displayed flashes of their former dominance. A spectacular volley from Venus was followed by a powerful winner from Serena that sent the crowd into a standing ovation.
However, two crucial breaks of Serena’s serve in the opening set—serves that had looked sharp during her Wimbledon run and a mixed‑doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz the week before—allowed Joint and Chan to seize the first set. Undeterred, Serena and Venus rallied in the second set, pushing it to a tiebreak. They eventually clinched the set after a decisive overhead from Joint drifted long, giving the sisters a lifeline. The third set proved to be a historic moment: it was the first time the duo had reached a 5‑5 scoreline in a final set since 2001.
Yet, the momentum slipped away. A mis‑hit from Serena at a critical juncture and a decisive volley by Chan sealed the match for the younger team. The United States Tennis Association confirmed that the Williams sisters declined to comment on the loss.
Meanwhile, other marquee matches continued to shape the tournament narrative. Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas rebounded from a first‑set setback to defeat Czech 18th seed Jiří Lehečka 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 also progressed, dispatching Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot 6‑4, 6‑2, 6‑4. In the men’s draw, Ben Shelton, a 2023 US Open semifinalist, set up a showdown with Tsitsipas after overcoming Denis Shapovalov in four sets.
Shelton’s match, which lasted three hours and 23 minutes, featured a blistering 147 mph serve and a hard‑fought 7‑6 (3), 6‑7 (5), 6‑3, 6‑4 victory. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also on Sky Sports.
Overall, the Williams sisters' performance, though ending in defeat, reminded the tennis world of their timeless skill, resilience, and the deep emotional connection they share with fans worldwide. Their legacy remains a cornerstone of the sport, and their future plans—whether a return to singles for Serena or continued doubles appearances—will be watched closely as the tournament progresses.