New York – The Williams sisters, longtime fan favorites, saw their US Open hopes end early on Friday night when they lost a first‑round doubles match in a 10‑point match tiebreaker. After fighting back to force the tiebreak, the pair squandered a 5‑0 advantage and fell 6‑3, 6‑7 (6), 7‑6 (10‑7) to the team of Hao‑Ching Chan and Maya Joint.
Local fans get a rare night‑session glimpse
The match was scheduled for the night session in Arthur Ashe Stadium, an unusual placement for a first‑round doubles contest, underscoring the enduring draw of the Williams sisters for the New York crowd. Fans filled the stadium, cheering loudly for the veteran duo, many of whom have followed their careers since the sisters first won the title in 1999.
What went wrong?
Both Serena and Venus, now in their mid‑40s, displayed flashes of the brilliance that made them legends, but a series of double‑faults in the tiebreaker proved costly. The sisters also appeared to be hampered by nerves and the lingering effects of Serena’s recent knee injury, which forced the pair to withdraw from a previous doubles match at Wimbledon.
“We expected a full stadium, everyone cheering for them, which, pretty much was that,” Joint said after the match. “The atmosphere was super special, something you don’t often get again with many other players.”
Broader tournament context
While the Williams sisters exited early, the tournament continued to deliver drama across the board. Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz praised the doubles action, saying he looked forward to watching the Williamses while receiving treatment after his own match.
In the women’s singles draw, Aryna Sabalenka, the two‑time defending champion, faced a brief interruption when she reported the smell of marijuana on court, urging spectators to refrain from smoking near the playing area. Sabalenka later defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6‑3, 6‑4 and will aim for a third straight US Open title.
American Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed, rallied from a rough start to beat Leylah Fernandez 1‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3, highlighting the depth of competition this year. Meanwhile, rising American Taylor Townsend advanced to the round of 16 and expressed confidence in her preparation for the upcoming match against Sabalenka.
Legacy of the Williams sisters
Serena and Venus have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, along with Olympic gold medals in 2000, 2008 and 2012, and they held the No. 1 doubles ranking for eight weeks. Their 27‑8 record in US Open appearances reflects a storied history that continues to inspire new generations of players and fans.
Although their run ended sooner than hoped, the sisters’ presence at the tournament reminded spectators of the power of perseverance, family support, and the joy of sport—values that resonate deeply with the HyperLocal Loop community.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
