Venus, Serena Williams Lose First Round Of Cincinnati Open Doubles

This match was decided by a 10-point third-set tie-break, which Kostyuk and Stearns officially won 10-8.

Venus and Serena Williams reunited for doubles at the Cincinnati Open Monday night but were eliminated in the first round.

It was the sister’s first partnership since the 2022 U.S. Open. They lost the first round women’s doubles match to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns, 6-2, 1-6, and 1-0. This match was decided by a 10-point third-set tie-break, which Kostyuk and Stearns officially won 10-8.

The appearance in Cincinnati, where neither Williams sister had played doubles in a pro tournament before, was seen as a potential tune-up for the U.S. Open, which begins next week.

“Obviously I wanted to do the best that I could do, but I think having fun and also just seeing how we are and how we feel out there,” Serena said. “Being out there with the fans, too, is just really good to give them another opportunity to see us play.”