Venus and Serena Williams rolled back the years with a spirited performance at the Cincinnati Open on Monday, but the decorated American sisters narrowly missed out on a place in the second round after losing their women’s doubles opener to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk and local favourite Peyton Stearns.

Playing together for the first time since the 2022 US Open, the Williams sisters showed flashes of the form and chemistry that made them one of the most successful sibling partnerships in sporting history. However, after a dramatic three-set battle, Kostyuk and Stearns prevailed 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 in the deciding match tiebreak.

The defeat was particularly heartbreaking for Venus and Serena, who came within just two points of extending their reunion into another round. Despite the loss, the sisters’ return to the doubles court generated significant excitement among fans, who packed the venue to watch two of the most influential figures in tennis compete together once again.

The Williams sisters were awarded a wildcard entry for the Cincinnati tournament, which traditionally serves as an important preparation event ahead of the US Open. With the final Grand Slam of the season beginning in just six days, the appearance provided the pair with a chance to return to competitive doubles and reconnect with the atmosphere of elite tennis.

The opening set, however, belonged firmly to Kostyuk and Stearns. The Ukrainian-American combination played with aggression and consistency, taking control of the rallies and capitalising on opportunities to break the Williams sisters’ serve. Venus and Serena struggled to establish their rhythm and eventually dropped the set 6-2.

The second set produced a dramatic turnaround. The Williams sisters raised their intensity and began finding their range, combining Serena’s powerful hitting with Venus’ experience and court coverage. They dictated more rallies, applied greater pressure on their opponents and produced a commanding response to level the match at one set apiece with a 6-1 scoreline.

The contest was therefore decided by a match tiebreak, where every point carried enormous significance. Kostyuk and Stearns initially held their nerve, while the Williams sisters continued to fight for every ball. The match remained tightly contested deep into the decider, with neither side able to establish a decisive advantage.

Ultimately, Kostyuk and Stearns managed to hold their composure at the crucial moment and edged the match tiebreak 10-8. The result sent them into the second round, while Venus and Serena were left to reflect on a comeback that had come agonisingly close to continuing.

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For Kostyuk and Stearns, the victory sets up a challenging second-round encounter against third seeds Kristina Mladenovic and Hanyu Guo. Their ability to overcome the experienced Williams sisters in a high-pressure match will provide considerable confidence heading into the next round.

For Serena and Venus, the Cincinnati appearance was less about the result and more about the significance of their reunion on a competitive court. The sisters have enjoyed extraordinary careers, collecting numerous Grand Slam singles and doubles titles and establishing themselves among the most accomplished players tennis has produced.

Their appearance also provided a nostalgic moment for tennis fans, who had not seen the pair compete together since the 2022 US Open.

Although they fell just two points short of progressing, the Williams sisters demonstrated that their competitive spirit and ability to produce memorable moments remain intact. Their brief Cincinnati comeback offered fans another glimpse of the partnership that helped redefine women’s tennis and created one of sport’s most enduring sibling legacies.