Full Breakdown
Venus Williams Falls to Sofia Kenin in Record-Late US Open First-Round Match
8/31/2026, 11:14:57 AM
The Match – Core Facts
On August 30, 2026, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 46-year-old Venus Williams entered her 26th US Open singles draw as a wild-card. She faced fellow American Sofia Kenin in a night-session that began at 12:13 a.m., the latest start in tournament history, surpassing Aryna Sabalenka’s 2024 record by six minutes. Williams lost in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6. Kenin took the first set in 32 minutes and sealed the match at 2:01 a.m., the latest first-round finish ever recorded.
Background & Context
Williams’ appearance marked her 96th Grand Slam overall, the most in the Open Era. She entered the event on a 14-match singles losing streak dating back to a July 2025 victory in Washington. Her last US Open win came in 2019; she has now lost six consecutive matches at the venue. Kenin arrived with a 0-5 record for the season and a recent win over No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in the second round.
Data & Statistics
- Score: 6-2, 7-6 (Kenin)
- Match start: 12:13 a.m., latest ever at the US Open
- Match finish: 2:01 a.m., latest first-round finish in history
- Williams’ streak: 14 consecutive singles defeats
- Kenin’s season record pre-match: 0-5 overall
Official Statements & Responses
Williams said the late start was “not ideal” and that both players “tried our best.” Kenin praised Williams, noting she was “playing some amazing tennis,” while acknowledging she “didn’t feel 100 % game-wise” but aimed to stay strong.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the length of Williams’ current singles losing streak: ESPN cites 14 matches, USA Today reports 15. Both agree she has not won a US Open match since 2019 and that her last singles victory occurred in July 2025. No source provides a definitive count of her total career singles losses at the US Open.
Verbatim Quotes
Why It Matters
The outcome extends Williams’ historic Grand Slam appearance record while highlighting scheduling challenges for veteran players. The match also underscored Kenin’s resurgence, positioning her as a dark horse after a difficult start to the season. The record-late start may prompt officials to reassess night-session scheduling.
What’s Next
Williams is slated to compete in women’s doubles with sister Serena later in the week. Kenin advances to face No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in the second round.
