US Open: Venus and Fernandez advance to women’s doubles second round

New York: Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez fought back from an early deficit to defeat Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the women’s doubles opening round at the US Open.

For the 45-year-old Williams, it marked her first win in three attempts in New York this year, following a first-round loss in singles to Karolina Muchova and an early exit in the revamped mixed doubles tournament last week. It was also her first doubles victory at Flushing Meadows since 2014, when she and her sister Serena reached the quarterfinals. The Williams sisters previously won the title together in 1999 and 2009.

The match started poorly for Williams and Fernandez, who trailed 5-2 in the first set. However, backed by strong home support, they fought back to level at 5-5 before edging the tiebreak to seize momentum.

The second set was more straightforward, with the unseeded duo racing to a 4-1 lead and closing out the match with ease.

“I have no idea what I was thinking during that tiebreak. I think I just kind of went on instincts. Venus said it perfectly. Play it as if it was a singles match. So I just didn't want to think too much. ... No, I just wanted to go out there, play, and I had full confidence with Venus at the net and even in the baseline,” Fernandez said after the win.

Williams added, “I'm used to being the big sister. So, I'm kind of asking her what she wants. It's important for her to feel comfortable. Theoretically I have more experience, but she's been playing a lot more matches, so maybe that makes us neck and neck in terms of how we can compete.”

The pair will next face Norway’s Ulrikke Eikeri and Japan’s Eri Hozumi, who advanced with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory in their opener.