Overview

• Williams and Fernandez defeated Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6 (4), 6-3 on Louis Armstrong Stadium to reach the second round.
• The win was Williams’ first U.S. Open women’s doubles victory since 2014 and her first doubles match win at any major since the 2018 French Open.
• A near-capacity crowd repeatedly drew quiet-from-the-umpire requests as the duo rallied from 2-5 down in the opening set before taking the tiebreak.
• Williams, granted a women’s doubles wildcard after first-round exits in singles and mixed doubles, called Fernandez her best partner outside Serena.
• They next face the unseeded team of Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi in the round of 32.