Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez Advance in Women’s Doubles
In an impressive display of teamwork, Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez advanced to the third round of the women’s doubles event at the US Open after overpowering Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi with a score of 7-6 (1), 6-1 during their match on Saturday. This victory marked a significant moment for the veteran Williams, who at 45 years old, adds another chapter to her illustrious career as a 14-time Grand Slam champion in women’s doubles, a title she often shares with her sister Serena.
First-Time Partnership
Entering the tournament with a wild card, the duo comprised of the experienced American player and the younger Canadian Fernandez, 22, was participating together for the first time. Their journey began similarly in the first round, where they managed to turn around a subpar start into a commanding performance.
“We have a few secrets,”
Williams shared, acknowledging the challenges they faced early on but emphasizing the importance of focusing on winning each point rather than fixating on the score.
Significant Milestone for Williams
This milestone also signifies Williams’ first return to the third round in women’s doubles at a Grand Slam since her appearance at the 2018 French Open alongside her sister. During the match, Williams delighted her audience with her characteristic twirl-and-wave, energizing the crowd as she prompted them to rise to their feet.
“I actually have never done that,”
she remarked, explaining that they needed the extra energy after falling behind.
Williams’ Comeback Journey
In her recent return to the sport, Williams had spent 16 months away from competition before making her comeback at the Washington tournament in July, where she competed in both singles and doubles. Her singles performance at the US Open this year saw her pushing 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova to three sets before exiting the tournament.
Fernandez’s Admiration for Williams
Fernandez, a finalist in the singles draw of the US Open in 2021, expressed admiration for Williams, citing her as a source of motivation throughout their match.
“It was a lot of fun,”
she reflected.
“I love Venus. She was checking in on me during changeovers, and I just felt great and excited to be there with her.”
