American women’s tennis legend Venus Williams is turning back the clock in her return to the game at this week’s US Open.
Williams, 45, and her 21-year old doubles partner Leylah Fernandez have made an impressive run through the tournament. Williams and Fernandez defeated Zhang Shuai and Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-3 in a fourth-round match at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Williams returned to the sport in July after a 16-month hiatus from playing. She was able to win a first-round match in the singles competition. Williams and Fernandez have advanced to the quarterfinals in doubles after winning all three of their matches in straight sets. After each victory, Williams has performed her signature twirl and wave, much to the delight of the New York crowd that has really gotten behind her and Fernandez.
Williams is a 14-time Grand Slam champion in doubles with her sister Serena Willams, who retired in 2022.
In the featured singles match of the day, No. 23 seed Naomi Osaka defeated No. 3 seed Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round. A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka had one of her most dominant performances in recent years.
Osaka advances to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in more than four years. That was in 2021 when she made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Osaka will face No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.