Sofia Kenin and Venus Williams waited hours to take the court for their first round US Open match. They finally stepped on to Arthur Ashe Stadium after midnight following an emotional Novak Djokovic loss.
Kenin was sharp, maximizing her opportunities to use her backhand.
It was not the competitive match tennis fans hoped for. The final score was
MORE: Novak Djokovic first round US Open loss to Mariano Navone hard to watch
Fans cheering on Williams
Both women are Grand Slam champions who have struggled in 2026. Venus Williams had the fan support but could not find serving rhythm or momentum.
Kenin advances to a second round showdown with another American, Jessica Pegula, who also won in straight sets on Day 1.
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Nostalgia not winning in US Open opening night session
Fans hoping to see vintage Djokovic and Williams did not get top form from either.
Father Time is winning against both. While both earned their positions, why the US Open scheduled them back-to-back on the first night is a headscratching decision.
Night matches go into morning hours
The other issue is a persistent one. Starting a match after midnight is a disservice to both players.
They are relegated to a waiting mode but forced to warm up to be ready to go whenever the men’s match ends.
Kenin now faces a more challenging recovery by starting the process after 2 AM EDT.
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