In a historic night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 46‑year‑old Venus Williams saw her 26th US Open singles appearance end in a first‑round defeat to fellow American wild‑card Sofia Kenin. The match, which began after midnight, set a new record for the latest start in tournament history.
Late start and record‑setting finish
Williams and Kenin were delayed by Novak Djokovic’s marathon four‑hour, 36‑minute loss to Mariano Navone, which pushed the women’s match to a 12:13 a.m. tip‑off. The contest concluded at 2:01 a.m., establishing the latest finish for a first‑round US Open match and the third‑latest women’s match overall.
Match summary
Kenin seized the first set quickly, winning 6‑2 in just 32 minutes. Williams rallied in the second, forcing a tiebreak after trailing 4‑2, but ultimately fell 7‑6 (6) as she missed several set points. Both players noted the unusual hour made it difficult to find rhythm, but praised each other’s effort.
Implications for Williams
The loss extends Williams’ streak to 15 consecutive singles defeats, dating back to her July 2025 victory in Washington. It also marks her sixth straight US Open first‑round loss since 2019. With doubles play alongside sister Serena later in the week, Williams hinted she may be contemplating the future of her singles career.
Quotes
“It’s not ideal. I would have preferred something else, definitely,” Williams said after the match. “I tried my best to find my rhythm at 1 or 2 a.m., but it’s tough.” Kenin added, “Venus was playing some amazing tennis. I just tried to keep fighting and stay strong in those moments.”
Williams, a seven‑time Grand Slam champion and five‑time Wimbledon winner, remains a beloved figure in American tennis. Whether this marks her final Grand Slam singles appearance, she continues to inspire fans with her perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
