Story perspectives

Williams Sisters Lose Wild-Card Doubles to Kostyuk, Stearns

8/19/2026

Summary

Williams Sisters Upset

Serena and Venus Williams lost 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns on Aug. 17, 2026.
They entered as wild cards, first doubles together since the 2022 U.S. Open.
After dropping the first set, they won the second 6-1, cut a 6-0 tiebreak to 8-7, then Venus’s double-fault ended it.
Kostyuk and Stearns said the crowd helped them flip the script and will meet Hanyu Guo and Kristina Mladenovic next.

Summary

Williams Praises

The Lindner Family Tennis Center, host of the Cincinnati Open, completed a $260 million renovation that modernized its courts and fan amenities.
Persistent rain forced multiple match stoppages, prompting player Alexander Zverev and player Alex de Minaur to alter their strategies after lengthy delays.
Tennis legend Serena Williams praised the emerging generation of women’s players, naming Mirra Andreeva, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina as standout talents she enjoys watching.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, 17-year-old Serena Williams captured her first US Open singles title, becoming the first African-American woman to win a major since Althea Gibson in 1958 and also securing the women’s doubles crown with sister Venus, earning $915,000 of the $1.29 million prize. Their breakthrough reshaped the sport, so their 2026 partnership at the same venue underscores the lasting legacy of the Williams sisters.

1 of 3

Williams Sisters Upset

Serena and Venus Williams lost 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns on Aug. 17, 2026.
They entered as wild cards, first doubles together since the 2022 U.S. Open.
After dropping the first set, they won the second 6-1, cut a 6-0 tiebreak to 8-7, then Venus’s double-fault ended it.
Kostyuk and Stearns said the crowd helped them flip the script and will meet Hanyu Guo and Kristina Mladenovic next.

1 / 3