Williams Sisters Suffer Dramatic US Open Doubles Defeat On Comeback

Serena and Venus Williams’ much-anticipated return to US Open doubles ended in a dramatic three-set defeat to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.

The American sisters, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles between them, including two US Open crowns, were beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (10-7) in a thrilling contest.

Despite trailing in the deciding set, Venus and Serena mounted a remarkable comeback and even led 5-0 in the deciding 10-point match tiebreak.

However, Chan and Joint held their nerve to fight back and secure victory in front of a raucous New York crowd.

Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, were playing their first Grand Slam doubles match together since the 2022 US Open. Their last title as a partnership came at the 2018 French Open.

The sisters showed glimpses of the form that made them one of the most formidable doubles partnerships in tennis history. Serena was particularly effective at the net, although her serve occasionally let her down.

After losing the opening set, they responded strongly in the second, hitting 20 winners and holding serve throughout before forcing a deciding tiebreak.

The Williams sisters then fell 4-2 behind in the third set but fought back to take control of the deciding match tiebreak, racing into a 5-0 lead.

Chan and Joint, however, produced a superb response, overturning the deficit to seal one of the biggest wins of their careers.

For Serena, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, the match marked an emotional return to Flushing Meadows after a four-year absence.

She had previously returned to Grand Slam singles action as a Wimbledon wild card, where she lost to Joint in a highly anticipated Centre Court encounter.

The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe was even more intense, with the Williams sisters receiving a thunderous reception as they walked on court.

Every volley and overhead from the American pair was greeted with huge cheers, while the noise reached a crescendo when they surged ahead in the deciding tiebreak.

Joint admitted the occasion was unlike anything she had experienced before.

“The atmosphere was surreal. Being able to play against such legends of the game is super special,” she said.