Serena, Venus Williams face intriguing R1 match at 2026 Cincinnati Open

In case you missed it, Serena Williams and Venus Williams are playing women’s doubles at the Cincinnati Open. The Williams sisters have accomplished everything possible in doubles in professional tennis but have not played together since the 2022 US Open.

They are among three wildcard teams that will be fun to watch in Cincinnati.

Serena and Venus will face another wildcard team in the first round. The surprising duo of Peyton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk will be their opponents in a Sunday, August 16 match at a time to be determined.

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Another all American wildcard team

Emma Navarro and Caroline Dolehide will compete in doubles. Dolehide is an accomplished doubles player; however, we have not seen much of Navarro in doubles.

As a college star, she got plenty of experience so this will be an entertaining duo.

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Other doubles teams

Sara Errani will play with Leylah Fernandez as her regular partner Jasmine Paolini continues to take time away to recover from injury.

Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider are playing doubles, but the 2025 Miami Open champions are not playing together. Andreeva will be with Sorana Cirstea. Shnaider is playing with Elise Mertens.

Barbora Krejcikova will play with Gabriela Dabrowski. They are in the same bracket as Krejcikova’s former partner, Katerina Siniakova, who is now with Taylor Townsend. The two teams could meet in the semifinals.

Those who think doubles tennis is not fun should watch the 2026 Cincinnati Open women’s doubles event because this is a fun and interesting draw. Plenty of personalities and former teammates will face off against each other at some point in this tournament.

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