Dream duo Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez through opening US Open doubles test

Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez were moved to Louis Armstrong with the US Open taking every opportunity of course to utilise the 45-year-old legend as well as the popular Canadian. They will get the chance to again with the doubles duo through their first test.

They upset sixth seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6(4), 6-3 on Thursday in front of a packed stadium. Before the US Open, Williams was only due to play in the singles draw but then added mixed doubles with her close friend Riley Opelka.

She then received a wildcard in the women's doubles with Fernandez and despite both having not played together before it was like a team of old as they produced an incredible display. Down 3-5 in the first set, they rallied to force a first set tie-break.

Williams missed a makeable volley to go 4-2 up in said tie-break. But she came up clutch herself when it was needed the most as she hit two 100 mph serves in the body and out wide to seal the set and send the experienced pair all at sea. In the second set, they quickly went up a break 2-0. Kichenok and Perez looked to hit straight back having break point. But again it was Williams who led from the front. At game point, she hit a near 70 mph serve and then Fernandez turned provider as she finished it off to consolidate the break.

This proved vital as they cruised to victory from there with Fernandez giving an unreturnable serve to close it out. Embracing Williams and getting a standing ovation. Both now find themselves ready to fight another day. For Williams it is the first time in over 10 years that she has won in the doubles at Flushing Meadows so even if they lose next game, she has ticked off likely one of the final marks of her career that she needs.

Originally Fernandez was supposed to play with Marie Bouzkova. But had to scramble to find a new partner as the Czech ace withdrew with injury. “Why not just ask Venus Williams? I mean, you know, the worst she can say is no, right?" said Fernandez as per NY Post. Incredibly not knowing her she had to ask around for people to ask her not having her number and she got a reply saying yes. They didn't even have a practice either but it all clicked.

Fernandez also likely achieved a dream. She spoke last month through the WTA about her love of Williams and how she idolises her. Well all her chickens came home to roost today.

"She’s been a huge impact not only for myself but for my whole family," said Fernandez last month. Her story has a little bit of a parallel with mine and my dad and my mom, so it’s so cool to see a legend still playing, still doing what she loves.

"It’s not kind of to prove people wrong, but it’s because she truly loves the sport, and you can see the kid in her. I love that. I love that, because sometimes we forget that we started playing this sport as a kid with joy and passion. We think of it more as a job, and we lose that joy."

“Venus, she reminded me that tennis is a privilege, that tennis is a sport where you have fun, you get down and you get back up, and you’re still laughing, if you lose a point or when you win the point and you kind of just compete that way.”