Overview

• Williams and Fernandez defeated Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6 (4), 6-3 to reach the second round.
• The pair erased a 2-5 deficit in the opening set before taking the tiebreak and closing out the match on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
• It was Williams’ first U.S. Open women’s doubles win since 2014 and her first Grand Slam doubles victory since 2018.
• After the match, Williams called Fernandez “the best partner I ever played with — outside of Serena,” drawing a prolonged ovation from a packed crowd.
• The victory follows Williams’ first-round singles loss to Karolina Muchova and a mixed doubles exit, with Bleacher Report noting Eri Hozumi and Ulrikke Eikeri as the next opponents.