Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez say what they think about having to face Taylor Townsend in the US Open doubles

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Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez may not have enjoyed the tournaments they were hoping for in singles, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a deep run at the US Open.

After Williams lost to Karolina Muchova in round one, she decided to sign up for the doubles event last minute alongside Leylah Fernandez.

Winning their first-round match, Williams and Fernandez took down the number-six seeds, Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez, in straight sets.

Carrying that momentum forward, the pair won their next two matches without dropping a set, en route to the US Open quarterfinals.

There, they will meet the world-class pairing of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.

Asked for their thoughts on Townsend, in particular, Williams and Fernandez previewed their quarterfinal match.

Venus Williams thinks playing Taylor Townsend in the US Open doubles will be ‘so fun’

Following their round of 16 win, Fernandez and Williams were asked about their quarterfinal match against Townsend and Siniakova.

“I think for me it’s going to be a great match,” said Fernandez.

“Taylor [Townsend] and Katerina [Siniakova] have been playing incredible doubles together and have had an incredible year or years.

“So I know that they’re both super aggressive and the atmosphere is going to be electric, just like every other day.

“I feel like we are just going to go out there and enjoy our time and hopefully play our game.”

Williams agreed, as she heaped praise onto Townsend, who made an impressive run through to the fourth round in singles.

“I think it will be so fun,” she said.

“I hadn’t thought about it, but Taylor has had a great tournament. It’s been really fun to watch.”

• 2025 US Open 1R – Taylor Townsend defeated Antonia Ruzic, 6-4, 6-4
• 2025 US Open 3R – Taylor Townsend defeated Jelena Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-1
• 2025 US Open 3R – Taylor Townsend defeated Mirra Andreeva, 7-5, 6-2
• 2025 US Open 4R – Taylor Townsend lost to Barbora Krejcikova, 6-1, 6-7 [13-15], 3-6

“It felt like the whole world was watching her, and she played so well.

“Obviously, she is number one in the world in doubles. Leylah [Fernandez] and I will just try to do our thing.”

Townsend is, indeed, the world number one in doubles, closely followed by her Czech partner, Siniakova.

The new-look pairing of Williams and Fernandez will be up against it in the quarters, but who else is lurking in the US Open doubles draw?

The eight teams remaining in the US Open women’s doubles tournament

Williams/Fernandez vs Townsend/Siniakova is no doubt the tie of the round, but that’s not to say the other three quarterfinals won’t be just as entertaining.

• QF 1 – Venus Williams/Leylah Fernandez v [1] Taylor Townsend/Katerina Siniakova
• QF 2 – [4] Veronika Kudermetova/Elise Mertens v [5] Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider
• QF 3 – [11] Timea Babos/Luisa Stefani v [3] Gabriela Dabrowski/Erin Routliffe
• QF 4 – [7] Asia Muhammad/Demi Schuurs v [2] Jasmine Paolini/Sara Errani

Fans of women’s tennis will instantly recognize Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini, players who have picked up WTA 1000 titles in singles and doubles this year.

Whether they can translate their WTA 1000 success into Grand Slam glory remains to be seen, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

The quarterfinals of the US Open women’s doubles tournament are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 2.