Nearly three decades after reaching the US Open final as a teenager, Venus Williams has suffered another early exit at Flushing Meadows.
The 46-year-old American was beaten 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) by compatriot Sofia Kenin in a match that stretched beyond 2am on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Kenin dominated the opening set and appeared firmly in control after moving 4-2 ahead in the second.
But Williams fought back strongly, saving the momentum with a break and forcing the set into a tie-break.
She then raced to a 6-2 advantage, raising hopes of an unlikely comeback before Kenin responded with six consecutive points to seal the victory.
The match began shortly after midnight following Novak Djokovic’s five-set defeat earlier in the evening.
Williams, who received a wild card to compete in the singles, was greeted by loud support from the late-night crowd before saluting the fans as she left the court.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion has yet to indicate when she intends to retire from singles competition.
Her last Grand Slam singles victory came at Wimbledon in 2021, where she reached the second round. Since then, she has suffered first-round exits in six successive Grand Slam appearances.
Williams will remain at the US Open, partnering her sister Serena in the women’s doubles later in the tournament.
