New York, September 05 (H.S.): Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams marked their return to the US Open women’s doubles competition after four years, but their comeback ended in defeat after a thrilling three-set battle against Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint. In the match played at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, Chan and Joint defeated the American sisters 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (10-7).

The Williams sisters, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, produced a remarkable fightback after falling behind in the third set. They also raced to a 5-0 lead in the deciding 10-point tie-break, but Chan and Joint staged a stunning comeback to clinch the contest.

Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, played a women’s doubles match at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2022 US Open. The sisters last won a title together at the French Open in 2018. Their 14 Grand Slam doubles trophies include two US Open titles.

Chan and Joint took the opening set 6-3, but Serena and Venus responded strongly in the second. The American pair struck 20 winners and held serve throughout the set. They forced the match into a deciding set by winning the tie-break. The sisters secured the set when Maya Joint sent an overhead shot long, prompting a huge reaction from the spectators inside the stadium.

In the third set, Chan and Joint moved 4-2 ahead, but the Williams sisters once again fought back. They appeared to be on course for victory after establishing a 5-0 lead in the deciding tie-break. However, Taiwan’s Chan and Joint produced an outstanding comeback, winning a succession of points before taking the tie-break 10-7 and sealing the match.

For Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, the contest marked a long-awaited return to Flushing Meadows. After stepping away from tennis four years ago, she returned to a major singles competition at Wimbledon as a wild-card entry, where she faced Maya Joint on Centre Court.

The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium was equally special for Joint. Before the match, the crowd erupted in applause as the Williams sisters walked onto the court. Every impressive volley and overhead shot from the legendary pair was greeted with loud cheers from the stands.

“The atmosphere was unreal. It is incredibly special to be able to play against such legends of the sport,” Joint said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar