Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez advanced to the US Open women’s doubles quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory over the 12th-seeded duo, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai, winning 6-3, 6-4 in 74 minutes. The wild-card pair, playing together for the first time, have yet to drop a set in their three matches, showcasing impressive synergy and aggressive play on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Post-match, Williams humorously called on her sister Serena to attend their next match, recalling their legendary partnership that yielded 14 major doubles titles. Serena had called earlier to offer encouragement, and Williams joked about potentially ‘bullying’ her into hitting if she came.
This quarterfinal appearance marks Williams’ first in a major doubles event since winning Wimbledon with Serena in 2016, and her first at the US Open since 2014. For Fernandez, it’s her third career major doubles quarterfinal, following appearances in 2023.
The crowd was highly supportive, with fans lining up for autographs, and Fernandez expressed inspiration from Williams’ enduring passion for tennis. Their next opponents are the top-seeded team of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, setting up a challenging match on Tuesday.
Williams, at 45, is competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at a major for the first time since 1998, defying age expectations. Fernandez, 22, brings youthful energy and recent experience.
Their partnership has quickly gelled, with both players confident in their offensive strategy. As they advance, the possibility of Serena’s attendance adds intrigue, but regardless, their run has captivated the tennis world, blending legacy with emerging talent.