Venus Williams comes close to forcing a deciding set during a U.S. Open match that finishes unusually late. Playing Sofia Kenin in a first-round meeting, Williams—listed among wild-card entrants—pushes the contest into a late finish that becomes the tournament’s latest start-to-finish mark.
The match begins at 12:13 a.m. Eastern time and ends at 2:01 a.m. Monday, setting a record for the latest start of any match at the U.S. Open. After winning the first set 6-2, Kenin holds on in the second after Williams rallies. Sources report that Williams has seven set points in the second set and fails to convert, including multiple chances on Kenin’s service and a run of consecutive set points, before Kenin ultimately wins the set 7-6(6).
Overall, outlets agree on the record-setting timing and the key swing moments: Williams’ near comeback in the second set and Kenin’s eventual straight-sets victory. They mainly differ in emphasis—some focus on Williams’ late-match chances, while others highlight the unusual scheduling record.
