Williams sisters blow 5-0 tiebreak lead in US Open exit

Serena and Venus Williams’ much-anticipated return to US Open doubles ended in a dramatic first-round loss to 14th seeds Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching, who won 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (10-7) after overcoming the sisters’ 5-0 lead in the deciding match tiebreak. The match lasted more than three hours and drew a capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the 14-time Grand Slam doubles champions showed flashes of their former brilliance despite Serena’s serving struggles. The loss marked another victory for 20-year-old Joint over Serena following their Wimbledon singles encounter. The sisters faced criticism from fans and the International Tennis Writers’ Association after declining customary postmatch media obligations and reportedly could face a tournament fine. Serena’s future remains uncertain, with speculation that she could consider another singles comeback after recovering from a knee injury.