Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez advance in US Open women’s doubles
New York – Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez advanced to the third round of women’s doubles at the US Open. They defeated Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi with a score of 7-6 (1), 6-1 this Saturday. Williams and Fernandez, who had already come back in the first round, found their rhythm after a complicated start. The 45-year-old American tennis player, winner of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister Serena, and the 22-year-old Canadian, played together for the first time this week, thanks to a special invitation.For Williams, this is her first time in the third round of women’s doubles at a major tournament since the 2018 French Open, where she played with Serena. The elder of the Williams sisters was able to perform her iconic spin and salute in front of an enthusiastic audience in Flushing Meadows. During the match, she even encouraged the fans to stand up.We have some secrets. I was telling her some things, but yes, I think we forgot we were losing. We were focused on winning the match. The score doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is to keep pushing and be the one to win the point, and in the end, here we are.
Venus Williams
Williams returned to action in July, playing singles and doubles at the Citi DC Open in Washington, after 16 months away from the circuit. In the US Open singles, Williams took eleventh-seeded Karolina Muchova to a third set in the first round before being eliminated. Fernandez, who reached the US Open singles final in 2021, described Williams as an inspiration that has kept her motivated.Actually, I had never done that. But we were losing, so we wanted the energy you bring. We needed that.
Venus Williams
It was a lot of fun. I love Venus. She was asking me how I felt during the changes, and I told her: ‘I feel good, I’m excited’.
Leylah Fernandez
