Venus Williams has long owned one of tennis’ most iconic walk-ons: a hand raised to the crowd, a skip, a twirl, and the applause raining down. This US Open , though, the script took a sharper turn. After her DC Open comeback and a mixed doubles stint with Reilly Opelka, Venus now headlines with Leylah Fernandez, her 11th doubles partner. Yet through decades, her truest ally was always Serena Williams . Now, as Venus chases glory with a new face at her side, Serena Williams steps forward, not with cheers, but with raw honesty.

At 45, Venus turned back time, teaming with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, 22 years her junior, to storm past Eri Hozumi and Ulrikke Eikeri 7-6 (7-1), 6-1. It marked only her second Grand Slam match win in four years, the first coming just a round earlier.

Ven

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