Venus Williams’ latest US Open singles campaign ended in the early hours of Monday as the American veteran fell to compatriot Sofia Kenin in a hard-fought first-round encounter at Flushing Meadows.
The 46-year-old Williams, who received a wild card to compete in the singles tournament 29 years after reaching the US Open final as a teenager in 1997, was beaten 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Despite the defeat, Williams produced a spirited performance in a match that ended shortly after 2am local time, earning a warm ovation from the late-night crowd as she left the court.
Kenin appeared on course for a comfortable victory after dominating the opening set and moving 4-2 ahead in the second.
The 27-year-old American then earned a break point that would have given her a 5-2 advantage, but Williams responded with a determined fightback, saving the opportunity and eventually forcing the set into a tie-break.
Williams looked poised to complete an unlikely comeback after racing into a 6-2 lead in the decider. Kenin, however, held her nerve, winning six consecutive points to overturn the deficit and seal victory.
The match began shortly after midnight following Novak Djokovic’s marathon five-set defeat earlier in the night session.
Williams, who waved to the crowd before leaving the court, has yet to indicate when she intends to retire from singles competition.
Her most recent Grand Slam singles victory came at Wimbledon in 2021, when she advanced to the second round. Since then, Williams has made six Grand Slam singles appearances and has been eliminated in the first round on each occasion.
She will remain in New York for the doubles competition, where she is scheduled to team up with her sister, Serena Williams, later in the tournament.
AFP
