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Venus Williams Draws Kenin at US Open
By Smacktok
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Venus Williams will open the US Open against Sofia Kenin, a first-round draw the Associated Press called a what-could-have-been. Venus, 46, received a wild card. The USTA had held another spot that likely would have gone to Serena Williams if she entered singles after returning for the first time since 2022. Serena stuck to doubles. That last wild card went to Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion. Thursday's draw then paired them.
Main draw play starts Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Pegula, the No. 3 seed, opens against Elena-Gabriela Ruse and would meet the Williams-Kenin winner in round two, the AP wrote.
Who does Venus Williams play at the US Open?
Sofia Kenin in round one. Kenin is a Grand Slam champion with New York experience. Venus is a seven-time major winner playing on a wild card at 46. The matchup is not a soft opener for either side. Fans searching Venus Williams Kenin or Venus Williams US Open want the round and the bracket path. Round one. Winner likely sees Pegula next.
Reuters and the AP also locked the rest of the board: Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1) vs Camila Osorio, Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2) vs Roman Safiullin, Novak Djokovic vs Mariano Navone. Elena Rybakina's status as the No. 2 women's seed remains provisional while she manages a left-leg issue, covered in our Rybakina status update.
Why the Venus-Kenin US Open draw matters
It is the wild-card collision nobody scripted. Serena's singles pass turned Kenin's invite into a Venus opener. Ashe night sessions and daytime outer courts will fight for it. For Venus it is another New York run on her terms. For Kenin it is a chance to beat a legend and land Pegula with momentum.
Sunday starts the answers. Until then the fact is simple: Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin, US Open round one, after both walked in on wild cards.
Venus Williams Kenin FAQ
Who does Venus Williams play in US Open round one? Sofia Kenin. The AP reported the draw pairing Thursday.
How did both get into the main draw? Wild cards. Venus first, then Kenin after Serena declined a singles spot.
When does the US Open main draw start? Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. Women's final is Sept. 12. Men's final is Sept. 13.
