New York – The 2026 US Open delivered a memorable night for tennis fans when American Sofia Kenin overcame 46‑year‑old compatriot Venus Williams in a first‑round match that began at 12:13 a.m. on Monday. The late start set a new record for the latest start time in the women’s tournament.
Early dominance by Kenin
Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, came out firing, breaking Williams’ serve in the opening game and never falling behind in the first set. She raced to a 3‑0 lead, and despite both players committing a combined nine double faults, Kenin maintained control and closed the set 6‑2.
Williams fights back, but Kenin stays ahead
Williams, playing as a wild‑card in her 96th Grand Slam main‑draw appearance, rallied briefly, breaking back to love and narrowing the gap to 3‑1. However, a second service break by Kenin restored a comfortable margin, and she finished the set with a decisive break.
Second set sees a tense tiebreak
In the second set, Kenin surged ahead again, leading 3‑1 before Williams showed flashes of the form that earned her seven Grand Slam titles. Williams’ second serve proved vulnerable, and she accumulated unforced errors that allowed Kenin to save four break points and bring the set to 5‑5. Williams held serve to go up 6‑5, but Kenin forced a tiebreak.
Williams appeared to have the momentum in the tiebreak, creating seven set points, yet none were converted. Kenin held her nerve, winning the tiebreak and the match.
Players reflect on the unusual timing
Williams told reporters, “It’s not ideal. I would have preferred something else definitely. It wasn’t great for either of us, so I think we both tried our best. I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late. I definitely think there’s room for improvement there. It’s not easy to do in the first round at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. to try to find your rhythm and play your best, but I tried my best.”
Kenin, who will next face top‑ranked American Jessica Pegula, expressed confidence in her performance, noting the challenge of playing at such an hour but emphasizing her focus on staying competitive.
What this means for the tournament
The match highlighted the stamina required of players when matches run deep into the night, a factor that could influence scheduling decisions in future Grand Slam events. For fans, the dedication of the crowd—many staying past midnight to watch a legend—underscored the enduring appeal of tennis and the support for American athletes on home soil.
As the US Open progresses, attention will turn to the upcoming rounds, where Kenin hopes to build on this victory and Pegula looks to continue her strong showing.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
