Williams & Fernandez Reach US Open Quarters – Tennis News
- venus Williams, 45, and Leylah Fernandez secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the No.
- A notably powerful forehand from Williams during the match drew attention, with courtside commentator Pam Shriver noting the intensity of the shot, saying she could "see smoke rising...
- The match concluded briefly interrupted by enthusiastic fans - including children - rushing the court on match point, waving Sharpies and programs towards Williams.
Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez Advance to Quarterfinals at 2024 US Open
Table of Contents
Dominating Performance Against Alexandrova and Zhang
venus Williams, 45, and Leylah Fernandez secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the No. 12 seeds Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai at the 2024 US Open on September 1, 2024.The 74-minute match showcased a strong righty-lefty pairing, with the duo breaking their opponents’ serve four times. This win marked Williams’ first major quarterfinal appearance since 2017.
A notably powerful forehand from Williams during the match drew attention, with courtside commentator Pam Shriver noting the intensity of the shot, saying she could “see smoke rising off the strings.”
A Moment Interrupted, Then Completed
The match concluded briefly interrupted by enthusiastic fans – including children – rushing the court on match point, waving Sharpies and programs towards Williams. Williams acknowledged the excitement with a smile before composing herself to deliver a serve that set up fernandez for a winning volley down the middle.
Synergy and Mutual Respect
Fernandez, the 2021 US Open singles runner-up, displayed a confident and relaxed demeanor throughout the match. The 23-year age gap between the players was not apparent in their on-court collaboration. Thay effectively complemented each other, alternating between both players at the net and one setting up the other.
Fernandez emphasized the trust between the partners, stating after the match, “I have full confidence in Venus, and I hope she has full confidence in me.” She then directly addressed Williams, saying, “Seeing you on the court with that same big smile… it’s so inspirational. I love that you love tennis.”
Williams expressed gratitude to the supportive crowd, acknowledging their role in lifting their spirits during challenging moments. the pair exited the court together, demonstrating their unity with a final wave.
Alexandrova’s Arduous Day
The victory handed Ekaterina Alexandrova her second defeat of the day, following a singles loss to Iga Swiatek. Iga Swiatek defeated Alexandrova 7-6(4), 6-2 in their earlier match on September 1, 2024.