Venus Williams’ fairytale US Open comeback ended in brutal fashion by fellow American Taylor Townsend
In what may well be her final match, time finally ran out for Venus Williams at this year’s US Open as she and doubles partner Leylah Fernandez were thrashed in less than an hour.
The pair, who are 23 years apart, developed a refreshing chemistry over the last week, and Williams, 45, consistently packed Louis Armstrong Stadium after ending her 16-month hiatus from the sport earlier this year.
There were even suggestions that this match should have been on Arthur Ashe after Marketa Vondrousova pulled out of her quarterfinal against Aryna Sabalenka just two hours before it was set to go ahead.
Ultimately, though, tHIS crowd’s encouragement was easily nullified by No. 1 doubles team Taylor Towsend and Katerina Siniakova, who earned a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 quarterfinal victory to move into the last four.
And while fans were also happy for fellow American Townsend to move on, this was assuredly a (quick) match defined by Williams’ presence.
On court after the match, Townsend was asked about her earliest memories watching Venus, and said that it was an ‘honor’ sharing the court with her.
Venus Williams’ US Open doubles run came to an end on Tuesday in brutal fashion
Williams waved goodbye to the fans – possibly for the last time – following the match
And the biggest cheer of the night came not after a winner or ace, but when Williams waved goodbye to the crowd following the match – perhaps for the final time.
She and Fernandez put together an electrifying win last round, after which the latter gushed about how much she’d been learning from her partner. But there were more groans and sighs from the stands during this match as the new partners were outclassed by their competition.
Townsend, if not for all the reasons she would have wanted, has had her own moment in the spotlight this tournament following her clash with Jelana Ostapenko and impressive run to the singles fourth round.
And she showed that she’s certainly a draw for fans in her own right as she and Siniakova fired 19 winners past their opponents.
The pair captured the doubles titles at this year’s Australian Open and last year’s Wimbledon, and are now just two wins away from lifting their first US Open together – after taking out the legendary Williams along the way.
More to follow
