NEW YORK — As the clock struck midnight in Queens, Sofia Kenin and Venus Williams had yet to play a single point on Arthur Ashe Stadium, as the previous five-set match between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone went four hours and 36 minutes, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion being sent packing in the first round of a major for the first time in 20 years.
The ladies took the court a mere 10 minutes after the calendar turned to Aug. 31, and when the crowd had finished rubbing their eyes, yawning, and trying to stay awake, Kenin dispatched the 46-year-old two-time US Open champion 6-2, 7-6.
Because of the late start, the match was supposed to be moved to Louis Armstrong Stadium, but both players said they wanted to stay at the original venue at Ashe.
Williams was making her 26th main-draw appearance at the US Open and still had a doubles tournament to play in with her sister, Serena, after receiving a wild card to compete, just as in her singles entry. She was also making her 96th Grand Slam appearance, the most in the Open Era.
#open #stadium #match
The ladies took the court a mere 10 minutes after the calendar turned to Aug. 31, and when the crowd had finished rubbing their eyes, yawning, and trying to stay awake, Kenin dispatched the 46-year-old two-time US Open champion 6-2, 7-6.
Because of the late start, the match was supposed to be moved to Louis Armstrong Stadium, but both players said they wanted to stay at the original venue at Ashe.
Williams was making her 26th main-draw appearance at the US Open and still had a doubles tournament to play in with her sister, Serena, after receiving a wild card to compete, just as in her singles entry. She was also making her 96th Grand Slam appearance, the most in the Open Era.
#open #stadium #match
2 months ago
