New York, Sep 2026 : Tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams could not turn their much-anticipated return to the US Open women’s doubles draw into a victory, falling to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint in a thrilling first-round contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night.
Playing before a crowd of nearly 23,000 spectators, the American sisters produced a spirited performance and showed flashes of the form that made them one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history. However, after forcing the match into a deciding tie-break, the Williams sisters surrendered an early advantage and eventually lost 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(10-7).
The 14th-seeded Chan and Joint made the stronger start, taking the opening set 6-3 and putting the Williams sisters under early pressure. Serena and Venus responded impressively in the second set, raising their level and refusing to allow their comeback to end quickly.
The second set went all the way to a tie-break, where the Williams sisters held their nerve to win 7-6(6), levelling the match and sending it into a deciding set.
The third set was closely contested, with neither pair able to establish a decisive advantage. The match ultimately went to a match tie-break, setting up a dramatic finish in front of an enthusiastic Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
Serena and Venus appeared to be on course for a memorable victory when they raced into a 5-0 lead in the deciding tie-break. With the American crowd firmly behind them, the sisters seemed poised to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks of the tournament.
But Chan and Joint produced a stunning turnaround. The 14th seeds steadily recovered the deficit, won a series of crucial points and eventually overturned the Williams sisters’ advantage. Chan and Joint completed their comeback by winning the deciding tie-break 10-7, securing a 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(10-7) victory.
The defeat nevertheless marked a significant moment in the careers of Serena and Venus, who were competing together in the US Open women’s doubles for the first time since 2022. The sisters received a wildcard to enter this year’s tournament.
Their return carried considerable historical significance. Serena, 44, and Venus, 46, have won 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles together, including six Wimbledon championships, four Australian Open titles, two French Open crowns and two US Open trophies.
Their most recent Grand Slam doubles triumph came at Wimbledon in 2016. Their return to the US Open therefore generated considerable interest among fans eager to see the iconic partnership back on the court.
The atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium reflected that excitement. Almost 23,000 spectators welcomed the sisters and responded enthusiastically to their big points throughout the match. Even in defeat, their performance became something of a celebration of two extraordinary careers that have shaped women's tennis for more than two decades.
Their second-set comeback and early 5-0 lead in the deciding tie-break offered glimpses of the competitive spirit and shot-making that had defined their partnership over the years.
The US Open appearance followed another doubles comeback earlier in August, when Serena and Venus reunited at the Cincinnati Open. They lost that match to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns 6-2, 1-6, [10-8]. It was their first doubles match together in nearly four years.
The sisters had also been scheduled to compete together at Wimbledon, but Serena withdrew from the doubles event because of a knee injury. Their eventual appearance at the US Open generated renewed excitement among fans and added another chapter to their remarkable shared career.
Although the result in New York went against them, the Williams sisters’ return proved that their presence continues to command enormous attention. Their achievements, longevity and enduring popularity were once again evident as the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd rallied behind them.
Serena and Venus have yet to indicate whether they plan to play together at another major tournament. For now, their US Open comeback will remain a memorable chapter in the story of one of the greatest doubles partnerships in tennis history.
