NEW YORK — In a thrilling display of talent, Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez triumphed in the women’s doubles quarterfinals at the US Open, defeating the 12th-seeded team of Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai with a score of 6-3, 6-4 during their third-round clash on Monday, captivating the sold-out audience at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
This dynamic duo, who had never teamed up before last week, made a stunning debut with a wild-card entry into the prestigious Grand Slam tournament. They are now an impressive 3-0, sailing through without dropping a single set.
“We’re in sync, and we’re aiming to keep this momentum going,” expressed Williams enthusiastically.
With the stands overflowing at Armstrong and eager fans waiting to witness the action, the pair needed a swift hour and 14 minutes to secure their place in the next round.
“I’m fully confident in Venus, and I hope she feels the same about me throughout our match,” said Fernandez. “We’re going out there to play our best: being aggressive, offensive, and ready for every ball that comes our way.”
Williams has referred to Fernandez as her finest partner aside from her sister Serena, with whom she has claimed an impressive 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. While only one of them is actively playing, Venus still feels the guiding presence of Serena from a distance and eagerly welcomes more input.
“She’s overjoyed for Leylah and me and has been sharing her wisdom,” said Williams. “We really need her in our corner. So, the message is clear: ‘Serena, you need to make an appearance!’”
