Serena Williams Praises No. 11 Marta Kostyuk After 8-10 Cincinnati Doubles Loss

Q: How did hometown hero Peyton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk survive a legendary 6-0 tiebreak rally by the iconic Williams sisters?

Peyton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk survived by building a big enough cushion early in the match tiebreak and then holding their nerve at the very end. After losing the second set 6-1, the pair raced to a 6-0 lead in the deciding 10-point breaker, putting the Williams sisters under immediate pressure. That margin proved decisive. Serena and Venus then produced the kind of late surge that made them one of the greatest doubles teams in tennis, helped by two consecutive double faults from Kostyuk that let them close from 8-5 to 8-7. Serena then added to the comeback with two big serves and a powerful overhead, trimming the gap to 9-8 and bringing the packed Cincinnati crowd fully into the match. But Stearns and Kostyuk had done enough damage early to stay one point ahead despite the momentum swing. The match ended abruptly when Venus Williams double-faulted on match point, sealing a 2-6, 6-1, 10-8 win for Kostyuk and Stearns. Kostyuk later called the tiebreak a “lottery,” while Stearns said she and her partner used the heavily pro-Williams atmosphere to their advantage and “flipped the script.” Their composure was backed by form. Kostyuk arrived in strong shape after winning the Madrid WTA 1000 earlier this season, and Stearns, playing in her hometown of Mason, Ohio, handled the occasion well. In the end, the upset came from a fast start in the breaker, resilience during the rally, and one clean finish when the final chance came.

Q: Will Venus's heartbreaking match-ending double fault derail the legendary sisters' highly anticipated US Open doubles reunion?

No. Venus Williams’s match-ending double fault is unlikely to derail a possible US Open doubles reunion with Serena. The Cincinnati loss was tight, not alarming. The sisters were playing together for the first time since the 2022 US Open and their first non-Grand Slam doubles event together since 2016. After a rusty start, they won the second set 6-1 and nearly erased a 6-0 deficit in the match tiebreak before losing 10-8. That suggests timing issues more than any deeper breakdown. Both sisters sounded positive afterward. Serena said the match was “fun” and “special,” stressing that the goal was to get back on court, shake off rust and enjoy the moment rather than chase the title. Venus said it was great to be out there together again and that they were beginning to find their rhythm. Those comments matter more than one painful final point. There is also context around the defeat. Kostyuk is in strong form after winning Madrid, and Stearns had hometown energy in Mason, Ohio. Even Kostyuk called the tiebreak a “lottery,” underscoring how narrow the margin was. The bigger question for New York is not Venus’s double fault but health, match sharpness and whether they receive or accept a wildcard. Serena’s comeback record is only 1-3, and both sisters are still rebuilding rhythm. But Cincinnati looked more like a useful tune-up than a warning sign that the reunion is off.

3 articles · Updated · Tennishead · Aug 18

8-10 in a match tiebreak ended Serena and Venus Williams’ Cincinnati Open run after a 2-6, 6-1, 8-10 first-round loss to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
Serena Williams singled out Kostyuk afterward, calling the world No. 11 “just different” and saying a Wimbledon practice session made a strong impression on her.
Williams also praised Stearns, noting the American was effectively playing at home near Mason and saying she closely follows and supports U.S. women players.
The defeat left Williams 1-3 since her 2026 return, following first-round exits in Berlin doubles and Wimbledon singles after one doubles win at Queen’s.
The 44-year-old is expected to play singles and likely doubles with Venus at the US Open, which begins on August 30.