By Issy Ronald, CNN

(CNN) — Venus Williams has one of tennis’ most iconic celebrations. She steps onto the court, raises a hand to acknowledge the crowd, takes a little skip and twirls around, soaking up the applause.

And when her doubles partner Leylah Fernandez ushered her onto the court to celebrate after they reached the last 16 at the US Open on Saturday, it seemed as if Williams was twirling back time.

Not since the 2018 French Open has the 45-year-old reached this stage of a grand slam. But she has formed a solid partnership with Fernandez, upsetting No. 6 seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez in the first round before defeating Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi 7-6(1), 6-1 in the second round on Saturday.

Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian who reached the US Open singles final i

See Full Page