Sofia Kenin defeats Venus Williams in the first round of the US Open
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 6:52 AM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Venus Williams exited the US Open in the first round following a 6-2, 7-6 (6) loss to Sofia Kenin on Monday. The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium began at 12:13 a.m. after a lengthy delay caused by an earlier match between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone. This late start set a record for the latest beginning to a match in the history of the tournament. Williams rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the second set to force a tiebreak but ultimately fell after failing to convert several set points. The defeat marks the 14th consecutive singles loss for the 46-year-old dating to July 2025. Williams remains entered in the doubles draw alongside her sister, Serena Williams.
- •Sofia Kenin defeated Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6 (6) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- •The match began at 12:13 a.m., marking the latest start time in US Open history.
- •The contest finished at 2:01 a.m., the latest ending for a first-round match.
- •Venus Williams holds a 14-match singles losing streak.
- •Venus and Serena Williams are scheduled to compete in the tournament doubles draw.
- 7:32 AMESPN — Venus loses after latest-ever start at US Open
- 6:31 AMYahoo Sports — Sofia Kenin dismisses Venus Williams in US Open first round
- 6:10 AMYahoo Sports — Sofia Kenin delivers second straight US Open first round exit for Venus Williams
- 6:06 AMYahoo Sports — Venus Williams bows out of her 26th US Open with a 1st-round loss to Sofia Kenin
"The 46-year-old lost 6-2, 7-6 (6) in what could be the final singles match at a Grand Slam, if not her illustrious career. It was Williams' 14th consecutive singles defeat dating to her last victory in Washington in July 2025. Williams has now lost six in a row at the U.S. Open since winning in the first round in 2019.
"Venus Williams bowed out of her 26th US Open singles appearance early Monday morning, falling in straight sets to fellow American wild card Sofia Kenin after not getting on the court until midnight local time.
"Sofia Kenin dispatched Venus Williams, the 46-year-old two-time US Open champion, in the first round in a match that ended in the early morning hours.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 31, 2026, 7:32 AMVenus loses after latest-ever start at US Open
Venus Williams bowed out of her 26th US Open singles appearance early Monday morning, falling in straight sets to fellow American wild card Sofia Kenin after not getting on the court until midnight local time.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:31 AMSofia Kenin dismisses Venus Williams in US Open first round
Sofia Kenin defeated Venus Williams in the second match of the opening night of the US Open.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:10 AMSofia Kenin delivers second straight US Open first round exit for Venus Williams
Sofia Kenin dispatched Venus Williams, the 46-year-old two-time US Open champion, in the first round in a match that ended in the early morning hours.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:06 AMVenus Williams bows out of her 26th US Open with a 1st-round loss to Sofia Kenin
The 46-year-old lost 6-2, 7-6 (6) in what could be the final singles match at a Grand Slam, if not her illustrious career. It was Williams' 14th consecutive singles defeat dating to her last victory in Washington in July 2025. Williams has now lost six in a row at the U.S. Open since winning in the first round in 2019.
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