Williams sisters lose in first round of US Open doubles in the United States
Serena and Venus Williams lost in the first round of the doubles event at the US Open tennis championships in New York, United States. Australian Maya Joint and Taiwan representative Chan Hao-ching defeated the sisters 6:3, 6:7 (6), 7:6 (10:7) in a match that lasted just over three hours.
The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium was attended by 23,000 spectators. Fans actively supported the Williams sisters, loudly reacting to points they won and falling almost silent at other moments of the match, Cyprus Mail reports, citing Reuters.
How the match unfolded
Joint and Chan, seeded 14th, won the first set. The Williams sisters took the second set in a tiebreak and sent the match into a deciding set. Joint and Chan prevailed in the super tiebreak.
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After the match, 20-year-old Joint said the opportunity to play against such tennis legends was special for her. The Australian also noted that she grew up in Michigan and had always admired both Williams sisters.
The sisters' return
According to Reuters, the sisters returned to playing together four years after what may have appeared to be their final match. Serena Williams said the idea of returning was suggested by her daughter.
Together, the Williams sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, claimed victory at the US Open twice and won three Olympic gold medals. Before the tournament in New York, they lost to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in Cincinnati. Serena Williams also competed in mixed doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, where their duo was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
