Two-time US Open doubles champion Venus Williams given wildcard alongside Leylah Fernandez as Serena Williams pays tribute to sister

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Venus Williams valiantly went out in the first round of the US Open singles draw to Karolina Muchova, but the Flushing Meadows crowd will not be saying goodbye to the 45-year-old just yet, as she is set to return to the court in the women's doubles alongside Leylah Fernandez. Williams won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister Serena Williams, the latest coming at Wimbledon in 2016.

Highlights: Alcaraz opens US Open account with win over Opelka, Muchova defeats Williams

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Venus Williams will team up with 2021 singles runner-up Leylah Fernandez in the US Open women's doubles after their wildcard was confirmed on Tuesday.

Williams suffered defeat in the first round of the singles draw to Karolina Muchova, but will return to the courts of Flushing Meadows - the site at which she won two doubles titles alongside her younger sister Serena Williams.

The 45-year-old won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles in total alongside her sibling, with their latest coming at Wimbledon in 2016. Serena paid tribute to her sister following her singles exit on Tuesday.

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Serena and Venus Williams to play in women's doubles at Cincinnati Open

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She wrote on Instagram: "Strength, courage, determination, class, perseverance, inspiration… there's not enough words to describe how proud I am of you. P.S. I hope to be like you."

Williams' partnership with Fernandez is an intriguing one. The 22-year-old suffered defeat in the final of the 2021 US Open to Emma Raducanu, and has featured regularly in doubles competitions this season, though rarely with a consistent partner.

The Canadian has attempted to rekindle something akin to the Williams' partnership, teaming up with her sister, Bianca Jolie Fernandez, while also joining forces with the likes of Lulu Sun, Yulia Putintseva and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in recent months.

Venus Williams becomes the oldest player to win a WTA tour-level singles match since 2004

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Williams and Fernandez get their doubles run underway with a first-round clash against Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez on Thursday.

Flushing Meadows crowd favourite Williams received a huge ovation throughout her singles defeat to Muchova on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and even took a set off her seeded opponent in a pulsating contest.

In her post-match press conference, the seven-time singles Grand Slam champion spoke about her relief at playing "freer" on court, having previously been hampered by health issues.

In 2011, Williams was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease which causes symptoms such as pain, fatigue and numbness. Upon her return in July, Williams said she had also suffered with fibroids - growths that develop in or around the uterus.

Since her return to the court, Williams has played doubles in both the Washington Open and revamped US Open mixed event. Before that, her last doubles appearances came in Serena's farewell tournament at Flushing Meadows in 2022.

The Williams sisters won US Open doubles glory in 1999, with Serena also going on to win the singles, and they claimed their second title in New York 10 years later.

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