Killer instincts carry Venus Williams, Leylah Fernandez to second US Open doubles win

NEW YORK—When Hailey Baptiste took the court alongside Venus Williams for her first match in 16 months, the American could immediately the aura emanating from the 45-year-old former world No. 1.

“She's always out to kill, which is obvious, because she's been so dominant in her career,” Baptiste smiled, speaking after their win at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. “Even, you know, we're down one time 40-15 or 15-40 in her service game, and she's, like, ‘All right, let's get three in a row.’ And we did.”

New partner Leylah Fernandez is feeling similar vibes at the US Open and the results, thus far, have been the same: after two slow starts, Fernandez and Williams are into the third round of women’s doubles after a straight-sets victory over Ukrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi.

“I definitely do see the killer instincts,” smiled Fernandez after the 7-6 (1), 6-1 victory. “I love that. That kind of brought up my energy too, seeing and hearing, seeing what Venus is doing on court. It's so incredible. So, yeah, killer instinct is still there.”

Indeed, Fernandez is herself a tenacious competitor, having just given world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka all she could handle on Louis Armstrong Stadium Friday night. Returning to that same court less than 24 hours later, she and Williams recovered from a slow start to back up their upset of No. 6 seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez and help Venus score back-to-back wins for the first time in her comeback.

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“I think we both have very aggressive games,” Williams noted of their wild card doubles pairing during Saturday’s post-match press conference. “We're looking to move forward, we're looking to control the point, I think we have very similar mindset, similar attitude.

“So I think we're, like, on this wavelength that makes it easy for us to really move in the same direction.”

That wavelength has helped Williams and Fernandez develop a quick trust and synergy, flummoxing two pairs of doubles specialists despite mainly practicing singles.

...When I cross, I know Venus is, like, behind me moving to the other corner; when she crosses, I'm going to go to the other corner. Just kind of like a nice harmony dynamic. Leylah Fernandez on doubles with Venus Williams

“I feel like we kind of don't really need to say much on court, and it just kind of flows,” echoed Fernandez. “That's what I like, that we don't need to talk as much, plan so many things. You know, when I cross, I know Venus is, like, behind me moving to the other corner; when she crosses, I'm going to go to the other corner. Just kind of like a nice harmony dynamic.”

Is the harmony enough to coax Williams into extending her 2025 comeback? The five-time Wimbledon champion had dismissed the idea of playing in Asia or even Australia come January, and was marginally less ambivalent about the proposition alongside the former US Open finalist.

“If she can get me on the road, definitely! I don't know what can get me out there. I love Asia, I love Australia, I love all those places. It's about it's just so far away,” laughed Williams before asking Fernandez, “Where are you playing next?”

“I don't know actually,” replied Fernandez. “It's so far away.”

“We need some internal talk first,” confirmed Williams.

The two will have at least one more match—and a few more days to decide, both on schedules and a potential team name, as the pair are yet to settle on one. Maybe Veylah?

“I'm not that creative!” Fernandez joked. “I'll leave that up to everybody else.”

They already have a unique post-match celebration: Fernandez first cedes the court to Williams, who executes her signature twirl before returning the favor and letting the Canadian take her bow.