Sofia Kenin ends Venus Williams US Open dream after bizarre court stand-off equals next day finish

Venus Williams continues to play late into her 40's as debate rolls on almost weekly about her use of wildcards and whether or not it is right that she continues to get them when she doesn't win matches and while she did show glimmers against Sofia Kenin, it was very much not the best game from either to conclude the opening day of the US Open.

As the clock struck midnight in Queen's, Sofia Kenin and Venus Williams had not taken to court on Arthur Ashe Stadium as the previous five set affair between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone went four hours and 36 minutes. The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost in the first round of a major for the first time in 20 years as a result.

Going into August 31st, they took to the court 10 minutes after midnight and Kenin dispatched the 46-year-old two-time winner 6-2, 7-6 and this in itself perhaps could've been avoided.

Because of the late start and the US Open's want to get the match done so the schedule could finish on time, they were supposed to be moved on to Louis Armstrong Stadium. Alas though both wanted to stay on Arthur Ashe which prompted problems as the tournament as a result bowed to this and decided to let them come on after the fact as a result instead of the game likely finishing at a fairly normal if not late time.

Williams was making her 26th main draw appearance at the US Open and still had a doubles tournament to play with Serena which will also no doubt court a main billing. She was also making her 96th appearance in a Grand Slam, the most in the Open Era. No doubt she'll want to get to 100.

Williams was at sea early being broken early then broken again in her next service game as the 27-year-old Kenin took a 3-0 lead. Williams unforced errors and double faults were partially to blame, but neither player was particularly at the races or sharp. Both women came into the match after not having the best seasons. Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open, but has only won six out of her last 26 matches in 2026 before ther first round win. While for Williams, it is 15 consecutive losses despite the wildcards that keep coming.

She showed some sort of resolve in the second set as Kenin edged it in a tie-break when it looked likely to go to a third at points. But Kenin now moves on after a bit of a charade which perhaps asks questions as fans now go home in the early hours after a game which perhaps deserved to be keep on a lesser court. But the pulling power of Venus v common sense is likely one which will continue to rumble on.

For Kenin, it is a next turnaround as she faces off against Jessica Pegula in the second round. An emphatic 6-3, 6-2 winner in her opener and one of the favourites for the title. Due to it being an All-American affair, also one that no doubt will be on the show courts again. But likely be more of a bigger test in this case to see where Kenin is really at against the perenially in form Pegula.