{
  "id": 5705218,
  "title": "Williams sisters fall in thrilling return to US Open doubles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/williams-sisters-fall-in-thrilling-return-to-us-open-doubles-5705218",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T03:35:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/09/1526120/williams-sisters-fall-thrilling-return-us-open-doubles"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Serena and Venus Williams delivered a thrilling performance at the US Open women's doubles tournament, only to fall short against Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint. The 14-time Grand Slam doubles champions, known for their historic two US Open titles, showcased flashes of their past brilliance, with Serena particularly dominating in the net. However, they faltered in the third set, ultimately losing 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (10-7). Despite their loss, the sisters displayed remarkable resilience, rallying from a break down in the third set and leading the deciding tiebreaker 5-0. Both Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, had not played Grand Slam doubles since the 2022 US Open. After overcoming a loss in the first set, the Williams sisters held their ground, serving consistently and even outplaying Joint with 20 winners in that set alone. However, Joint and Chan fought back brilliantly to secure the victory. For Serena, it marked her first return to Flushing Meadows since her Wimbledon triumph four years ago, following her retirement from major singles play. Her experience at Wimbledon, where she narrowly lost to Joint in a Center Court match, apparently did not adequately prepare Chan for the electrifying atmosphere at the cavernous Ashe Stadium. The sisters were met with a deafening ovation upon their return, clad in understated white outfits, as they delivered a performance that left the crowd in awe. Joint expressed her admiration for playing against such tennis legends, calling it \"super special.\"",
  "summary": "NEW YORK: Serena and Venus Williams electrified Arthur Ashe Stadium but fell to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint in three thrilling sets in their return to the US Open women’s doubles on Friday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Serena and Venus Williams lose US Open doubles final 6-3, 6-7(6-8), 7-6(10-7)",
    "Serena dominates in net, Venus and Chan fight back brilliantly",
    "Sisters' return marks Serena's first since Wimbledon four years ago"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Williams sisters' loss belies a resurgent display of skill and enduring popularity, as they showed they can still compete at a high level and command a fervent crowd.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "This Day",
        "title": "Williams Sisters Reunite for U.S. Open Doubles After Four Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/williams-sisters-reunite-for-u-s-open-doubles-after-four-years",
        "published": "2026-09-05T01:01:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Williams sisters fall in thrilling return to US Open doubles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/williams-sisters-fall-in-thrilling-return-to-us-open-doubles",
        "published": "2026-09-05T02:35:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Williams sisters fall in thrilling return to US Open doubles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/williams-sisters-fall-in-thrilling-return-to-us-open-doubles-5711852",
        "published": "2026-09-05T03:53:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Heartbreak in New York as Williams sisters turn back the clock, fall just short",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/heartbreak-in-new-york-as-williams-sisters-turn-back-the-clock-fall",
        "published": "2026-09-05T03:59:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Heartbreak in New York as Williams sisters turn back the clock, fall just short",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/heartbreak-in-new-york-as-williams-sisters-turn-back-the-clock-fall-5714641",
        "published": "2026-09-05T03:59:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "erena and Venus Williams lose US Open doubles thriller after 5-0 lead in decider",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/erena-and-venus-williams-lose-us-open-doubles-thriller-after-5-0-lead",
        "published": "2026-09-05T04:24:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}