Serena and Venus Williams made an emotional return to the US Open women’s doubles but narrowly missed out on victory, losing to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint in a thrilling three-set contest on Friday.
The American sisters went down 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/7) in a match that had Arthur Ashe Stadium buzzing. Despite trailing in the deciding set, Serena and Venus fought back and even opened a 5-0 lead in the final 10-point tiebreaker before Chan and Joint staged a dramatic comeback.
Williams sisters make Grand Slam doubles comeback
The match marked Serena and Venus Williams’ first Grand Slam doubles appearance since the 2022 US Open.
The sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including two US Open crowns. Their last Grand Slam doubles title came at the 2018 French Open.
Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, received a thunderous reception from the Arthur Ashe crowd as they walked onto the court, with fans cheering every big volley and overhead smash.
Serena and Venus fight back
Chan and Joint took control early by winning the opening set 6-3. However, the Williams sisters responded strongly in the second set.
Serena was particularly effective at the net, producing several attacking shots, although her serve came under pressure. The sisters struck 20 winners in the second set and held serve throughout before forcing a tiebreak.
They eventually levelled the match when Joint sent an overhead shot long, triggering a huge roar from the crowd.
Chan and Joint survive dramatic decider
Chan and Joint appeared to have the match under control after taking a 4-2 lead in the third set.
But Serena and Venus refused to go away. The sisters fought back and then surged to a 5-0 advantage in the deciding 10-point tiebreaker.
Chan and Joint, however, produced a remarkable turnaround to win the tiebreak 10-7 and seal their place in the next round.
Maya Joint relishes playing against legends
For Joint, sharing the court with the Williams sisters was a special experience.
The 44-year-old Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, had not played at the US Open since 2022. She had returned to major singles competition at Wimbledon as a wild card, where she lost to Joint in a highly anticipated Centre Court clash.
Joint said the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium was surreal and described playing against the Williams sisters as “super special.”
Despite the defeat, Serena and Venus’ return generated a memorable night at Flushing Meadows, with the crowd firmly behind the legendary American duo.
