{
  "id": 1684500,
  "title": "Williams sisters beaten on doubles return at Cincinnati Open",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/williams-sisters-beaten-on-doubles-return-at-cincinnati-open-1684500",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T10:08:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-18-williams-sisters-beaten-on-doubles-return-at-cincinnati-open/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Serena and Venus Williams returned to doubles action after a hiatus since 2022, but their Cincinnati Open appearance ended in defeat. The sisters lost 2-6, 6-1 (10-8) to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk and American Peyton Stearns. Venus fell behind 6-0 in the tiebreaker before a Venus double-fault sealed their fate. Serena, 44, said they had a good time and found their rhythm, despite the initial rust. Venus, 46, added that they were excited to be back on the doubles court after a long wait. The Williams sisters have claimed 14 major doubles titles, including six Wimbledon championships and three Olympic gold medals. Their last doubles match together was at the 2022 U.S. Open, where they lost to Czech duo Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova. The U.S. team was slated to compete at Wimbledon but withdrew after Serena injured her knee during her singles match. The Williams sisters were granted a wild card entry for Cincinnati earlier in the month.",
  "summary": "Serena Williams and Venus Williams said they had a good time on their return to doubles action for the first time since 2022, despite suffering an opening round defeat at the Cincinnati Open on Monday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Serena and Venus Williams returned to doubles at Cincinnati Open.",
    "They lost to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns 2-6, 6-1 (10-8).",
    "Venus fell behind 6-0 in tiebreaker, Venus double-fault sealed defeat."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}