Serena and Venus Williams fall in US Open doubles thriller

Serena and Venus Williams' return to US Open women's doubles ended in dramatic fashion as the legendary sisters lost to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint in a deciding-set tiebreak at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Williams sisters were beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (10-7) on Friday in a contest that delivered one of the biggest moments of this year's tournament.

The defeat came despite Serena and Venus recovering from a difficult start and then building a 5-0 lead in the deciding 10-point tiebreak. Chan and Joint produced a remarkable comeback to win seven of the next nine points and seal their place in the next round.

Williams sisters produce another memorable US Open night

The match marked the sisters' first Grand Slam doubles appearance since the 2022 US Open. Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, have enjoyed one of the most successful partnerships in tennis history, winning 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, including two at the US Open.

Their most recent Grand Slam doubles title came at the 2018 French Open, making their return to Flushing Meadows particularly significant.

The sisters initially struggled to impose themselves as Chan and Joint took the opening set 6-3. Serena, however, became increasingly influential at the net, while the pair raised their level during the second set.

They produced 20 winners in the set and did not drop serve before forcing a tiebreak.

The Williams sisters eventually levelled the match when Joint sent an overhead long, prompting a huge reaction from the Arthur Ashe crowd.

Chan and Joint survive Williams comeback

The momentum appeared to shift again when Chan and Joint moved into a 4-2 lead in the deciding set. Serena and Venus responded and kept themselves in contention, setting up a dramatic deciding tiebreak.

The Americans then appeared to have victory within reach after racing into a 5-0 advantage. Chan and Joint refused to fold, though, producing a remarkable turnaround to claim the match 10-7.

For Joint, the victory carried added significance. The Australian-born player had already faced Serena in singles at Wimbledon earlier this year, making the US Open doubles encounter another major meeting with one of tennis' most celebrated figures.

"The atmosphere was surreal," Joint said after the match. "Being able to play against such legends of the game is super special."

Serena's US Open return attracts huge crowd

The match represented Serena's first appearance at the US Open since 2022 and generated one of the tournament's loudest receptions. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had stepped away from regular tennis after the 2022 US Open before returning to Grand Slam competition this year.

Venus, meanwhile, continues to compete at 46, adding another chapter to the extraordinary longevity of the Williams family's presence at the highest level of tennis.

Although their doubles comeback ended in defeat, the sisters once again demonstrated the connection and competitive spirit that helped make them one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history.

For Chan and Joint, the victory is one they are unlikely to forget — particularly after escaping from a 0-5 deficit in the match tiebreak.

SportsLigue