Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open women’s doubles tournament, knocking off the No. 6-seeded pairing of Ellen Perez and Lyudmyla Kichenok, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
The win extends Williams’ run at the U.S. Open after she had been eliminated from the singles draw earlier this week in an exciting match against Karolína Muchová.
Williams and Fernandez had to battle back from down 2-5 in the first set before winning the next two to tie things, but again had to rally when Perez and Kichenok won the 11th game of the set.
Perez and Kichenok lost the 12th game on a forehand forced error and another forced error in the 13th game sealed the set for Williams and Fernandez.
Williams, competing at age 45, and Fernandez quickly took control of the second set and secured the win.
During her on-court press conference, Williams called Fernandez the best doubles partner she’s had “outside of Serena.”