US Open | Serena and Venus Williams' comeback falls short as sisters are eliminated after fierce battle
WTASaturday, 05 September 2026 at 04:22
Serena and Venus Williams saw their doubles campaign come to a dramatic end after suffering a heartbreaking 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-7 [7-10] defeat to Chan and Maya Joint. The Williams sisters fought back from a set down, recovered another deficit in the deciding set and appeared to have one foot in the next round when they raced into a commanding lead in the match tiebreak.
Instead, their opponents produced a stunning late turnaround. Chan and Joint recovered from 0-5 down in the super tiebreak, winning eight of the next nine points to completely reverse the momentum and eventually end the Williams sisters' run in one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.
Early breaks give Chan and Joint the opening set
The opening set immediately exposed some difficulties on serve for the Williams sisters. Chan and Joint earned the first break when Serena was serving, with a double fault from the 23-time Grand Slam champion contributing to the breakthrough.
Venus and Serena responded immediately, breaking back to restore parity at 3-3 and bringing the crowd back into the contest. However, Serena's serve came under pressure again later in the set, and another break gave Chan and Joint the opening they needed. This time, there would be no response. The opposing pair held firm behind Joint's serve to close out the set 6-3 and put the Williams sisters under immediate pressure.
Williams sisters save six break points before tiebreak response
The second set became a much tighter battle, with Venus and Serena repeatedly having to defend their serves in difficult moments. Both sisters faced break points as Chan and Joint continued to find opportunities, while their opponents generally held their own service games with greater comfort.
By 4-4, the Williams sisters had already saved four break points and had won just two points on return throughout the set. The pressure continued to build, and by the closing stages they had escaped six break points without finding a single breakthrough of their own.
Yet when the set reached a tiebreak, the sisters showed the fighting spirit that has defined their careers. They recovered from an early mini-break deficit and kept themselves alive through several tense exchanges. Eventually, on their fifth set point, a costly error from Joint handed the Americans the set and levelled the match at one apiece.
Venus inspires comeback before devastating super tiebreak finish
Chan and Joint struck first again in the deciding set, earning an early break and building a 4-1 lead through a series of strong service holds. At that stage, another defeat appeared increasingly likely for the Williams sisters.
But they refused to disappear quietly. Backed by a heavily supportive crowd, Venus and Serena fought their way back to 4-4 and seized the momentum. They even had two break points for the chance to move ahead, but could not convert either opportunity.
With neither team finding another decisive breakthrough, the match moved into a deciding super tiebreak. The Williams sisters initially produced their best tennis of the match, racing into a remarkable 5-0 lead after securing three consecutive mini-breaks.
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What followed was a devastating collapse. Chan and Joint responded by winning eight of the next nine points, turning a seemingly impossible situation completely around. Venus and Serena continued fighting until the end, but the momentum had shifted irreversibly.
The Williams sisters were ultimately eliminated after one of the most extraordinary super tiebreak turnarounds of the tournament, bringing their campaign to a painful end after they had come within touching distance of victory.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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