At 46 and 44 years old, tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams narrowly missed a sensational first-round upset in the US Open women’s doubles draw. Playing together in a Grand Slam for the first time since 2022, the sisters fell 6-3, 6-7 (8/6), 7-6 (10/7) to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint in a thrilling three-hour-and-two-minute marathon at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Williams Sisters Push Chan and Joint to the Brink in Epic US Open Doubles Thriller
Fantasy & Market Impact
The tape from Arthur Ashe Stadium tells the story of an electric, vintage battle. For over three hours, the tennis world was treated to a masterclass in competitive grit as Venus and Serena Williams returned to Grand Slam doubles action. Granted an invitation by tournament organizers, the legendary duo proved they were not merely in New York for a ceremonial farewell. According to match reports from 20 Minuten, the sisters pushed Taiwan’s Hao-Ching Chan and Australia’s Maya Joint to absolute exhaustion before falling 6-3, 6-7 (8/6), 7-6 (10/7).
The compact format of doubles tennis mitigated the baseline coverage demands that phase out aging singles competitors. Serena utilized her explosive hand-eye coordination at the net, punctuating several clean volleys with trademark roars of raw emotion.
The Anatomy of a Three-Hour Marathon
After dropping the opening set 6-3—having initially clawed back from a 1-3 deficit before leaking another service break—the Williams sisters recalibrated. The second set showcased breathtaking offensive execution. The duo hammered 20 total winners, forcing a tie-break where Venus delivered a clutch first set-point opportunity off a sharp volley. They secured the frame when Joint misfired on a smash, sending the partisan crowd into a frenzy.
The momentum seemed entirely tilted toward the icons in the decisive third set tie-break. As detailed by La Dernière Heure, the Williams sisters roared out to a commanding 5-0 lead in the super tie-break. Yet, championship tennis is ruthless. Chan and Joint summoned the energy of desperation, winning 10 of the final 12 points to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
| Metric | Venus & Serena Williams | Hao-Ching Chan & Maya Joint |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 46 & 44 | Tour Standard |
| Match Duration | 3 hours, 2 minutes | |
| Set 1 Score | 3 | 6 |
| Set 2 Tie-Break | 8 (Won) | 6 |
| Final Set Tie-Break | 7 | 10 (Won) |
Legacy, Context, and the Grand Slam Stage
Context matters when evaluating this performance. Prior to this fortnight, the sisters had not shared a Grand Slam court since the 2022 US Open, and their last shared title victory dated back more than eight years to Roland-Garros in 2018. They are two-time US Open women’s doubles champions, having hoisted the trophy together in 1999 and 2009. Friday night’s near-miss added another compelling chapter to their shared athletic biography.
They went toe-to-toe with established professional tour players for over 180 minutes, exhibiting elite shot-making under pressure. For Chan and Joint, surviving this harrowing test means advancing, while the tennis world is left marveling at the sheer competitive longevity of two icons who refuse to fade quietly.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
