Double Trouble For Venus And Serena

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

Two things had never happened when Venus and Serena Williams took the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium Thursday night to play doubles against the Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova and Lucie Hradecka. First, a men’s or woman’s doubles match had never been played in the first round at Arthur Ashe. Second, the sister’s entered the tournament having played in 14 doubles tournament and won 14 titles. Unfortunately on this night they would not have the opportunity to make it 15.

 

The sister’s had not competed together since 2018 when they played Roland Garros in France. They made it to the third round before losing. The sold out crowd did all it could to support the sisters, in the end however, the duo from of Noskova and Hradecka proved to be just as fast and just as strong coming away with the 2 set victory 7-6, 6-4. It was a hard fought victory as the teams went back and forth in the first set before the Williams sisters fell in the tie breaker in the first set. Venus and Serena went up 6-5 in the first set but could not break the Czech team forcing the tie breaker which ended in the first set loss.

 

 

 

 

The momentum carried over for Noskova and Hradecka as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead. But as they have done throughout their illustrious careers, the Williams sisters rallied back to tie the second set at 4 games a piece. The Czech team composed themselves to win the last two games ending the night for the Williams team. Venus and Serena did not speak with the media after while Republic’s team were ecstatic about taking out the impending tennis Hall of Fame pair.

 

Said Noskova before the match, “l was speechless when l found out I’m going to face these two. I mean they are legends. I was always a big fan of them, especially Serena. She has been my idol since ever.” Said her partner Hradecka, “I’m still in shock that we won. I’m so sorry for you that we beat them,” addressing the more than 23,000 in attendance. “We are so happy that we did it.”

 

The focus now shifts back to Serena who continues her magical ride in what is her final US Open tournament. Williams faces unranked Ajla Tomljanovic who took out Evgeniya Rodina Wednesday.

 

There will never be a pair in the men’s or women’s doubles that will accomplish what the Williams sisters have accomplished. All great things must come to an end.