Serena and Venus Williams lose U.S. Open doubles match

Venus and Serena Williams embrace after a loss in their first-round doubles match against Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková at the U.S. Open. (Charles Krupa/AP)

NEW YORK — Serena and Venus Williams traded fist bumps or palm slaps and chatted between points. They smiled while conversing in their seats at changeovers.

When their first doubles match together in 4 ¹⁄₂ years ended with a loss at the U.S Open on Thursday night, the siblings hugged each other, then left the court to a standing ovation.