NEW YORK: Venus Williams prolonged her stay at the US Open on Monday, partnering Leylah Fernandez to reach her first Grand Slam doubles quarter-final in nearly a decade.
The 45-year-old American tennis icon and Fernandez, who was born three years after Williams won the first of her 14 Grand Slam doubles titles in 1999, defeated Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova and China’s Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4.
It is the first time Williams has reached a Grand Slam doubles quarter-final since 2016.
Williams is playing in the doubles after receiving a last-minute invitation from US Open organizers to play in the tournament she won twice alongside younger sister Serena.
The Williams-Fernandez pair could face top seeds Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic and American Taylor Townsend in the quarter-finals.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to competition at the end of July at the Washington Open after sixteen months away from the WTA Tour.
She indicated after her singles defeat that the US Open would likely be her last tournament of the season.
Venus Williams, Fernandez into US Open doubles quarter-finals
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Venus Williams, Fernandez into US Open doubles quarter-finals
Saudi Arabia ‘elevating’ women’s cricket with new T20 tournament
- Groundbreaking partnership to feature players from 35 countries
- Annual Women’s T20 World Challenge marks new chapter for women’s sport, says Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation’s new five-year partnership with FairBreak Global to host a Women’s World T20 Challenge in Saudi Arabia from 2026, will be “elevating” the game for females in the Kingdom.
This was the comment made by SACF Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud in a press release recently. “This partnership represents another step in our journey to build a world-class cricket ecosystem in the Kingdom,” he said.
“By bringing a global women’s tournament to Saudi Arabia, we are not only elevating the sport, but also opening new pathways for talent development, private-sector participation, and international investment — fully aligned with our vision for the future of cricket and the ambitions of Vision 2030,” he added.
The event will be the first professional women’s T20 league to take place in the Kingdom.
The challenge will bring together players from more than 35 countries, including many from emerging cricket nations.
“This partnership is more than a tournament, it is a long-term investment in the future of women’s sport in Saudi Arabia,” said Tariq Ziad Sagga, CEO of the SACF.
“We are proud to welcome the world’s leading players while creating new pathways for Saudi girls and women to participate in sport at every level. This reflects our values of growth, ambition and global collaboration,” he added.
The event will also be made accessible to global audiences through live broadcast and digital streaming, said the SACF.
“We are proud to partner with Saudi Arabia on what we believe is a truly significant step for FairBreak and for women’s cricket worldwide,” said R.V. Venkatesh, MD at FairBreak Cricket Ltd.
“Saudi Arabia offers not only a world-class stage, but also a long-term opportunity to grow the game, support emerging talent, and bring people together through sport. This is about building something meaningful, with real momentum and global relevance,” added Venkatesh.
“This is more than a cricket tournament. It’s a statement that Saudi Arabia is ready to lead globally in sport, innovation, and inclusion,” said Taha Coburn-Kutay, director at FairBreak.
“As we invest in infrastructure and access, we are also investing in the future of women in cricket and inviting the world to experience a new, modern Saudi Arabia,” said Coburn-Kutay.
