Williams sisters lose doubles return at Cincinnati Open

Serena and Venus Williams returned to doubles competition as a pair for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open, but their comeback ended with a first-round loss at the Cincinnati Open on Monday. The legendary sisters, who entered with a wildcard, were defeated by Peyton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 in a tightly contested match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

The American-Ukrainian duo of Stearns, a Cincinnati native, and Kostyuk jumped to an early lead, winning six of the first seven games to claim the opening set. The Williams sisters responded emphatically in the second set, dominating to force a match tie-break. In the deciding 10-point tie-break, Stearns and Kostyuk built a significant lead at 6-0 and later 8-2. The Williams sisters mounted a spirited comeback, pulling within 8-9, but Venus Williams double-faulted on match point to end the contest.

For Serena Williams, 44, the match was only her third doubles outing this year following a comeback after nearly four years away from the tour. "I thought it was fun. I thought it was special," she said. "I didn't come out here to win this tournament. Winning is obviously great, but in this...