Sofia Kenin defeats Venus Williams in late-night U.S. Open first-round match
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 6:29 AM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Sofia Kenin defeated Venus Williams in the first round of the U.S. Open early Monday morning at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match began at 12:13 a.m. ET and concluded at 2:01 a.m., marking the latest start and finish for a first-round match in the tournament's history. Kenin secured the victory with a 6-2, 7-6(6) scoreline, overcoming a second-set comeback attempt from Williams. The delayed start time occurred after a lengthy five-set match between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone pushed the night session schedule well past midnight. Williams, who held seven set points during the second set, now holds an 0-12 singles record this year. She plans to participate in the tournament's doubles event alongside her sister, Serena Williams.
- •Sofia Kenin beat Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6(6) in a first-round match.
- •The match set a record for the latest start in U.S. Open history at 12:13 a.m.
- •Venus Williams holds a 0-12 singles record for the current year.
- •The delay resulted from a previous five-set match between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone.
- •Venus and Serena Williams will compete together in the doubles draw.
- 6:29 AMYahoo Sports — US Open: As Venus Williams falls in a match that ends at 2 a.m., the sport must examine its scheduling problem
- 6:16 AMYahoo Sports — The U.S. Open’s latest start in history saw Venus Williams come agonizingly close to a late, late show
"NEW YORK — At 12:13 a.m. Monday morning in New York, a matchup of former Grand Slam champions who are now wild-card entrants set the record for the latest start to a match at the U.S. Open. When it was over, at 2:01 a.m., Sofia Kenin had beaten Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6(6), as a match that turned into the latest first-round finish in tournament history threatened to unfurl into a vintage comeback. Williams had seven set points in the second set, three in a row on Kenin’s serve and four in a row in
"Venus Williams' first-round match against Sofia Kenin didn't start until 12:15 a.m. in New York. That's a lot to ask of people who pay for tickets.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:29 AMUS Open: As Venus Williams falls in a match that ends at 2 a.m., the sport must examine its scheduling problem
Venus Williams' first-round match against Sofia Kenin didn't start until 12:15 a.m. in New York. That's a lot to ask of people who pay for tickets.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:16 AMThe U.S. Open’s latest start in history saw Venus Williams come agonizingly close to a late, late show
NEW YORK — At 12:13 a.m. Monday morning in New York, a matchup of former Grand Slam champions who are now wild-card entrants set the record for the latest start to a match at the U.S. Open. When it was over, at 2:01 a.m., Sofia Kenin had beaten Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6(6), as a match that turned into the latest first-round finish in tournament history threatened to unfurl into a vintage comeback. Williams had seven set points in the second set, three in a row on Kenin’s serve and four in a row in
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