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Key Points

Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka were eliminated in the first round of the US Open mixed doubles. They lost in straight sets to the team of Andrey Rublev and Karolina Muchova. The match featured a tense second set where Williams saved break points with an ace. This tournament marked Williams' return to Grand Slam competition after a two-year break.

Key Points: Venus Williams Reilly Opelka Fall in US Open Mixed Doubles First Round

  • Williams and Opelka lost their second service game early in the first set
  • The pair fought off break points in the second set with an ace from Williams
  • The match was decided by a 7-4 tiebreak in the second set
  • This marked Williams' return to Grand Slam tennis after a two-year hiatus
2 min read

Venus Williams-Reilly Opelka crashes out of U.S. Open mixed doubles after losing their first-round encounter

Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka lose their US Open mixed doubles match to Andrey Rublev and Karolina Muchova in straight sets, ending Williams' Grand Slam return.

"Urged on by an adoring New York crowd, Williams and Opelka fought off one break point - Olympics.com"

New York, August 20

Olympic tennis gold medallist Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka bowed out of the U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament after losing their first round match against Andrey Rublev and Karolina Muchova 4-2, 5-4 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Tuesday.

The two Americans were broken early, losing their second service game as Williams served. That was the only opening that Muchova and Rublev needed to take the opening set 4-2, as per Olympics.com.

In the second set, it was even through to three games all. Then, Williams stepped up to serve again and got into a sticky situation early, down 15-40. But, urged on by an adoring New York crowd, Williams and Opelka fought off one break point before Williams saved the second with an ace.

The Americans won the game for a 4-3 lead. An easy hold on Muchova's serve pushed the match to a seven-point tiebreak. Rublev and Muchova claimed the second set, taking the tiebreak 7-4, as per Olympics.com.

Williams is making her return to Grand Slam tennis following a two-year hiatus. She made an age-defying singles comeback at the DC Open in July, where she won her opening match against Peyton Stearns, becoming the second-oldest player to win a tour-level singles match. She then lost against Magdalena Frech in the next round.

This week's mixed doubles matches are best-of-three sets up to four games, with no-advantage at deuce resulting in a 'golden point' instead to decide the game. If level at a set apiece, the third set will be in the format of a 10-point match tiebreak.

The mixed doubles final, scheduled for Wednesday (20 August), will take place in the original format of best-of-three sets up to six games, though incorporating the no-advantage rule and super tiebreak up to 10 points.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Mixed doubles format seems confusing with these rule changes. Why can't they stick to traditional scoring? Makes it hard for casual fans to follow 😕
A
Ananya R
Venus is such an inspiration! Coming back after 2 years and still competing at Grand Slam level. Age is just a number 💪 Hope Sania Mirza takes inspiration for her comeback too!
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Vikram M
Tough loss but they put up a good fight. The crowd support for Venus shows how much she's loved worldwide. Tennis needs more Indian representation at this level!
K
Kavya N
Honestly, mixed doubles deserves more attention in India. We have great potential if we develop partnerships like other countries. Maybe Bopanna can find a good Indian partner for mixed?
S
Siddharth J
The golden point rule adds unnecessary pressure. Traditional deuce advantage was better - tested both skill and mental strength properly. This feels like shortcut tennis.

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