Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez moved into the US Open women’s doubles quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-4 over Zhang Shuai and Ekaterina Alexandrova. The pair will meet top seeds Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková in the next round, a match that has drawn extra attention with Serena Williams watching from home.
Serena, though not on the court in New York this year, has been closely following her sister’s run, described by Venus as “coaching from afar.” The seven-time Wimbledon and US Open doubles champion said Serena is deeply involved and thrilled, even as she and her family stay connected with the action from home.
If Serena were to travel to New York, Venus joked, it would be a dream for both sisters to have her on the court coaching. The idea elicited playful banter about perhaps forcing Serena to swing a racquet, though Venus admitted it might be best if she stays away from the spotlight to avoid any on-court bullying.
The partnership has shined in doubles play, with Fernandez, a former US Open singles finalist, enjoying a notable learning curve under Venus’s guidance. Fernandez has been candid about how much she’s absorbing from one of the game’s most decorated players. Venus has won 14 grand slam doubles titles with Serena between 1999 and 2016, along with three Olympic gold medals, underscoring why the pairing has attracted so much attention.
Fernandez echoed the sentiment, noting how much growth she’s seen since teaming with Venus. “I’m growing a lot, actually,” she said, adding that she feels like a sponge, soaking up lessons from a legend. It’s a rare opportunity for a young player to train and compete with someone who has such a storied career.
For now, Fernandez and Venus will prepare for a tough test against Townsend and Siniaková, the top seeds, as they push to extend their surprise run in doubles at Flushing Meadows.
What to watch next:
– Whether Serena makes the trip to New York and, if so, whether she attends in person or appears on-court to offer her unique perspective.
– How Fernandez continues to develop under Venus’s guidance and how the veteran’s experience translates against a very strong seeded team.
– The potential for more high-profile family moments as the Williams sisters’ extended presence remains a talking point around the tournament.