Queens, NY— Venus Williams’ return to Grand Slam action came to a close Tuesday night as she and partner Leylah Fernandez were defeated in the U.S. Open women’s doubles quarterfinals by top seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, 6-1, 6-2.
The match, which lasted just 56 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium, ended with a heartfelt scene: Williams, smiling, approached the net to shake hands with her opponents and embraced Townsend. The crowd rose to its feet in a standing ovation, recognizing the 45-year-old tennis icon. Townsend and Siniakova joined in the applause.
“Growing up watching Venus and Serena was incredibly inspiring for me and my sister,” Townsend told the crowd. “It was truly an honor to share the court with Venus today.”
Siniakova echoed the sentiment, calling Williams “a legend” and saying it was “a privilege” to compete against her.
Williams, who had not played in a Grand Slam tournament since the 2023 U.S. Open, returned to action this summer after a 16-month break due to injury. She entered singles, mixed doubles, and women’s doubles this year in New York but exited all three events early, with the doubles run ending in the quarterfinals.
She and Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian who was a U.S. Open singles finalist in 2021, were a wildcard entry and had not dropped a set through their first three matches—an impressive debut for the pair.
But the experience and chemistry of Townsend and Siniakova proved too much. The duo, who have already captured two major doubles titles together this year—at the Australian Open and Wimbledon—showed why they’re the team to beat. Siniakova now holds 10 career Grand Slam doubles titles. Townsend, currently ranked world No. 1 in doubles, is seeking her first U.S. Open crown.
With the win, Townsend and Siniakova advance to face No. 4 seeds Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in the semifinals. Kudermetova and Mertens recently won Wimbledon together. The other semifinal pits French Open champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini (No. 2 seeds) against the third-seeded team of Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe.
Williams, who owns 14 Grand Slam doubles titles (all with her sister Serena), seven singles majors, and two mixed doubles championships, was the oldest competitor in the 2024 U.S. Open singles draw—marking the oldest appearance since 1981.
For Townsend, her Flushing Meadows journey continues despite a heartbreaking exit in singles, where she failed to convert eight match points in a fourth-round loss to Barbora Krejcikova. Still, she remains focused on what’s ahead.
“It was a tough match,” Townsend said of her singles exit. “But I gave everything I had, and that’s all you can ask for. Matches like that are defining—moments where you grow.”
Earlier in the tournament, Townsend also made headlines for a postmatch exchange with Jelena Ostapenko, adding another layer to an already eventful Open.
