Venus Williams suffered her 14th consecutive singles defeat at the 2026 US Open, falling 6-2, 7-6(6) to fellow American Sofia Kenin in a first-round match that began past midnight on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A Record-Breaking Late Night at Arthur Ashe Stadium
The first-round encounter between the 46-year-old wildcard entry and her 27-year-old opponent did not get underway until 12:13 a.m. local time in New York.
The extraordinary delay stemmed from a lengthy men’s singles match on the same court, where Novak Djokovic fell in five sets to Mariano Navone after a battle lasting four hours and 36 minutes.
How Sofia Kenin Closed Out the Opening Round
On the court, Sofia Kenin broke serve immediately in the opening game and raced to a 3-0 lead. Both players struggled for early rhythm, combining for nine double faults in the opening stages, but Kenin needed just 32 minutes to capture the first set 6-2.
Williams rallied in the second set, utilizing unforced errors from her opponent and drawing cheers from the late-staying crowd at Flushing Meadows. After falling behind 4-2, the veteran champion fought back to force a tiebreak. However, she was unable to convert seven set points. Kenin steadied her game, and the match concluded at 2:01 a.m. when Williams hit into the net, marking the latest finish ever recorded for a first-round match in tournament history.
“Venus obviously was playing some amazing tennis. I just tried to keep fighting. I didn’t feel 100% game-wise, some nerves, but I tried to do the best to stay strong in those moments.”
Sofia Kenin, via India Today
Venus Williams Voices Frustration Over Scheduling
Speaking to reporters after the match, Williams expressed dissatisfaction with the unprecedented hour at which the competitors were asked to take the court, pointing out the physical toll of starting a major tournament fixture deep into the night.
“It’s not ideal. I would have preferred something else, definitely. It wasn’t great for either of us, so I think we both tried our best. I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late. I definitely think there’s room for improvement there. It’s not easy to do in the first round. It’s not easy to do it at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. in the morning to try to find your rhythm and play your best, but I tried my best.”
Venus Williams, via The Independent
Despite the difficult hour, Williams praised the fans who remained in their seats. I’ve never played a match that late before, and I was happy to see that so many people stuck around for that.
What Lies Ahead in the US Open Draw
The defeat extends a challenging stretch for Williams, who was making her 26th main-draw appearance at the US Open and her 96th career Grand Slam main draw appearance. Her last singles victory at a major occurred at Wimbledon in 2021, while her last overall singles win came in Washington in July 2025.
My mind is fully focused on that: how I recover from this completely insane evening and get ready for the next one.
While her singles campaign has concluded, Williams is scheduled to remain active at Flushing Meadows. She received a wildcard entry to compete in the doubles tournament alongside her sister Serena Williams. Meanwhile, Kenin advances to the second round, where she is scheduled to face top-ranked American Jessica Pegula.
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