Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez continued their impressive run by reaching the US Open women’s doubles quarter-finals. The 45-year-old American legend and her 22-year-old Canadian partner stunned 12th seeds Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-1 in 74 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The pair entered the draw with a wildcard and have now knocked out two seeded teams. They are yet to drop a set in any of their three victories. Their chemistry, energy, and crowd support have turned them into one of the most exciting stories of the tournament.
Dominant Start and Clinical Finish
The match began with Williams and Fernandez racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set. Their opponents fought back, but another break helped Williams serve out the opener. Fernandez impressed with quick reflexes at the net and sharp poaching, keeping the pressure on Alexandrova and Zhang.
In the second set, the pair broke Zhang again in the third game. Although Alexandrova and Zhang tried to recover, Williams and Fernandez responded with another break. The win was sealed when Fernandez intercepted at the net with a clever volley, sending the crowd into loud cheers.
A Historic Milestone for Venus Williams
Williams has seven singles Grand Slam titles and 14 in women’s doubles. This year marks her 25th US Open appearance. She first won the doubles crown in New York in 1999 with her sister Serena, three years before Fernandez was born.
After the match, Fernandez praised her partner: “Seeing you play on court with the same big smile you had back then is so inspirational and motivates me to keep going. I love that you love tennis.”
For Williams, this is her first Grand Slam quarter-final since winning the Wimbledon doubles title with Serena in 2016. Asked about her younger sister, Williams joked: “She’s so happy for Leylah and I, she’s given us advice and we just need her in the box, so my message is ‘Serena, you need to show up!’”
Next Challenge and Strong Contender Status
Williams and Fernandez could face the top-seeded pair Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend in the quarter-finals. Their third-round match had not started when the duo left the stadium after signing autographs for fans.
For Alexandrova, the loss capped a tough day. She had earlier been knocked out of the singles competition by world number one Iga Swiatek on the same court.
With this win, Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez have proven they are not just a wildcard story. Their sharp teamwork, experience, and fearless play make them genuine contenders at the US Open.
Stay tuned for all the latest Sports News, follow SportsNewsTime on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram