Serena and
The match marked the sisters' first appearance at the US Open since 2022. Despite showing flashes of their vintage form, the pair could not overcome the challenge posed by Chan and Joint, ultimately succumbing in a contest that went the distance.
A collapse in the deciding tiebreaker
The match was defined by a rollercoaster third set. After trailing 4-1, the Williams sisters mounted a spirited comeback to level the score, forcing the match into a 10-point tiebreaker. The momentum appeared to be firmly with the American legends as they surged to a 5-0 lead in the decider. However, they were unable to maintain their advantage, as Chan and Joint rallied to turn the tide and secure the victory.
The loss was particularly difficult given the circumstances of the tiebreaker. Both sisters committed double faults during the high-pressure moments, allowing their opponents to capitalize and close out the match. This encounter represented only the second time in their careers that the Williams sisters had competed in a deciding-set tiebreaker at a major tournament, with the previous instance occurring at the 2009 French Open.
Context of the return to Flushing Meadows
For Serena, 44, and Venus, 46, the tournament served as a significant return to the Grand Slam stage where they previously claimed titles in 1999 and 2009. Their overall record at the US Open now stands at 27-8 across 10 appearances.
The match also marked a personal hurdle for Serena against Maya Joint. The Australian player had previously defeated Serena in three sets at Wimbledon earlier this summer, a tournament where the sisters were forced to withdraw from their doubles match due to a knee injury sustained by Serena. This latest defeat in New York brings a premature conclusion to their highly anticipated return to the tournament.
