New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- In what looks like her final Grand Slam if not her illustrious career, Venus Williams bowed out in the very first round of US Open 2026 women's singles, in a match that start past midnight and finished just after 2 AM at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The oldest of Williams sisters, Venus lost to fellow American Sofia Kenin in her 26th US Open singles appearance.

The 46-year-old lost 6-2, 7-6 (6), which was also her 15th consecutive singles defeat dating to her last victory in Washington in July 2025. Venus has now lost six in a row at the US Open since winning in the first round in 2019. She will next pair up with sister Serena Williams in women's doubles.

Venus and Kenin waited extraordinarily long to take the court at...