Verified

Venus Williams Exited from U.S. Open Singles by Sofia Kenin in Record-Late Match

r/Sports •

Darom AI August 31, 2026

Venus Williams was eliminated from the U.S. Open singles tournament in the first round early Monday morning, falling 6-2, 7-6(6) to fellow American Sofia Kenin at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The match concluded at 2:01 a.m. ET, following a start time of 12:13 a.m. that marked the latest start for a women's match in tournament history. The delay resulted from a lengthy preceding contest on the schedule, forcing both players to wait deep into the night before taking the court.

Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, controlled much of the first set before Williams rebounded in the second. Williams built a 6-2 lead in the second-set tiebreak, holding multiple set points to force a deciding third set, but failed to convert. Kenin rallied by winning six consecutive points to close out the tiebreak and secure the straight-sets victory.

With the defeat, Williams extended her singles match skid to 14 straight losses, dating back to July 2025. Speaking after the match, Williams addressed the unusual scheduling. According to Al Jazeera, she noted that she had never played a match that late and questioned the scheduling practices, stating that professional tennis is unique in requiring athletes to begin competition at such an hour. She also expressed gratitude to the spectators who remained in the stadium.

Kenin advances to the second round, where she will face No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula. While Williams' run in the singles draw has concluded, she remains entered in the tournament's doubles draw alongside her sister, Serena Williams, with both having received wildcard entries.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified

--- > **Claim:** Venus Williams was eliminated from the U.S. Open singles tournament in the first round early Monday morning, falling 6-2, 7-6(6) to fellow American Sofia Kenin at Arthur Ashe Stadium. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms that Venus Williams lost her first-round match at the US Open to Sofia Kenin by a score of 6-2, 7-6(6) at Arthur Ashe Stadium, concluding in the early hours of Monday morning, August 31, 2026. [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/31/venus-williams-sofia-kenin-us-open-first-round) --- --- > **Claim:** The match concluded at 2:01 a.m. ET, following a start time of 12:13 a.m. that marked the latest start for a women's match in tournament history. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** According to the match records, the contest began at 12:13 a.m. and concluded at 2:01 a.m., establishing it as the latest-starting match in women's tournament history at the US Open. [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/31/venus-williams-sofia-kenin-us-open-first-round), [espn.com](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/49780370/venus-williams-loses-sofia-kenin-us-open-1st-round) --- --- > **Claim:** Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, controlled much of the first set before Williams rebounded in the second. Williams built a 6-2 lead in the second-set tiebreak, holding multiple set points to force a deciding third set, but failed to convert. Kenin rallied by winning six consecutive points to close out the tiebreak and secure the straight-sets victory. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Sofia Kenin is indeed the 2020 Australian Open champion. Match details confirm Venus Williams led 6-2 in the second-set tiebreak before Kenin won six straight points to take the tiebreak 8-6 and secure the straight-sets win (7-6). [wtatennis.com](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4569441/kenin-denies-williams-comeback-to-reach-us-open-second-round), [aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/8/31/venus-williams-bows-out-of-us-open-with-straight-sets-defeat-to-sofia-kenin) --- --- > **Claim:** With the defeat, Williams extended her singles match skid to 14 straight losses, dating back to July 2025. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reporting on the tournament notes that this defeat extended Williams' losing streak in singles matches to 14 consecutive losses, dating back to her victory at Washington, D.C., in July 2025. [sports.yahoo.com](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/venus-williams-bows-her-26th-025227556.html) --- --- > **Claim:** Speaking after the match, Williams addressed the unusual scheduling. According to Al Jazeera, she noted that she had never played a match that late and questioned the scheduling practices, stating that professional tennis is unique in requiring athletes to begin competition at such an hour. She also expressed gratitude to the spectators who remained in the stadium. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Al Jazeera covered Williams' post-match comments where she addressed the late scheduling, noted she had never played a match at that hour, criticized the practice, and thanked the remaining fans. [aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/8/31/venus-williams-bows-out-of-us-open-with-straight-sets-defeat-to-sofia-kenin) --- --- > **Claim:** Kenin advances to the second round, where she will face No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Sofia Kenin advances to face Jessica Pegula in the second round of the tournament following her win over Williams. [wtatennis.com](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4569124/pegula-blitzes-ruse-to-begin-us-open-campaign-as-all-american-showdown-awaits) --- --- > **Claim:** While Williams' run in the singles draw has concluded, she remains entered in the tournament's doubles draw alongside her sister, Serena Williams, with both having received wildcard entries. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The Williams sisters were awarded a wildcard entry into the 2026 US Open women's doubles draw, allowing them to compete together. [wtatennis.com](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4567147/serena-and-venus-williams-awarded-us-open-wild-card-in-doubles) ---

AI Research Queries

🔍 Venus Williams" "Sofia Kenin" US Open 2026 start time 12:13 a.m. 2:01 a.m.
🔍 Venus Williams" "Sofia Kenin" US Open 2026 tiebreak score 6-2 7-6
🔍 Venus Williams 14 straight singles losses July 2025 US Open 2026
🔍 Venus Williams Al Jazeera interview US Open 2026 latest match schedule
🔍 Sofia Kenin Jessica Pegula US Open 2026 second round
🔍 Venus Williams Serena Williams doubles wildcard US Open 2026

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