Media365
Serena and Venus Williams’ return to the US Open women’s doubles after four years ended in a three-set defeat to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.The Williams sisters lost 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (10-7) after leading the deciding 10-point tiebreak 5-0.The pair had not played Grand Slam doubles together since the 2022 US Open. For Serena Williams, it was also her first appearance at Flushing Meadows since that tournament.Serena, now 44, returned to professional tennis this year after stepping away from the sport. Venus, 46, has continued playing on the WTA Tour.The match swung several times before the sisters forced a deciding tiebreak. They raced to a 5-0 lead, but both players committed double faults during the tiebreak as Chan and Joint came back to win the final seven points.It was also Serena’s second loss to Maya Joint this summer. The Australian had beaten Serena in three sets at Wimbledon during Serena’s return to Grand Slam singles. The sisters later pulled out of their Wimbledon doubles match after Serena injured her knee.The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium was electric. The Williams sisters received a loud ovation as they walked onto the court wearing matching white outfits.The crowd cheered almost every point won by the Americans, and the noise grew even louder when they took control of the deciding tiebreak.After the match, Joint said playing against the sisters was a memorable experience.“The atmosphere was surreal. Being able to play aginst such legends of the game is super special.”Venus and Serena are among the most successful doubles teams in tennis history. Together, they won 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, including two US Open crowns, and Olympic gold medals in 2000, 2008 and 2012. They also held the world No. 1 doubles ranking for eight weeks.
