The match, which took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium, was delayed significantly by a lengthy preceding encounter between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone. By the time Williams and Kenin took to the court at 12:13 a.m., the match had already secured its place in the record books as the latest start to a match in US Open history, surpassing the previous mark set in 2024.
A historic late-night battle at Arthur Ashe
The opening set saw Kenin dominate, securing the frame in just 32 minutes. However, the atmosphere shifted in the second set as Williams began to find her rhythm, capitalizing on unforced errors from her opponent. The veteran rallied from a 4-2 deficit to force a tiebreak, providing the remaining spectators with a competitive finish. Despite her efforts, Williams was unable to convert several set points, ultimately hitting a ball into the net to seal the result in Kenin's favor.
For Kenin, the victory marked a significant milestone as it was her first win during a night session at the US Open, having entered the match with an 0-5 record in such conditions. The encounter was also notable for being the only first-round match of the tournament featuring two former major champions.
Reflecting on a storied career
This defeat marks Williams' 14th consecutive singles loss, a streak extending back to her last victory in Washington in July 2025. Her record at the US Open has also proven challenging in recent years, with this latest result representing her sixth consecutive loss at the tournament since her last first-round win in 2019. Williams, a seven-time
While her singles journey at this year's event has concluded, Williams is expected to remain in the draw. She and her sister, Serena, have been granted a wild-card entry into the doubles competition, where they look to add to their history of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, including their previous US Open successes in 1999 and 2009.
