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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Via AP news wire

Williams sisters' return to play doubles at the US Open helps ESPN to an increase in viewers

ESPN Venus Williams Serena Williams the US Open US Open ESPN2
Venus and Serena Williams put on a show in thrilling U.S. Open return, in photos - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Helped by Serena and Venus Williams playing doubles again, ESPN had its largest viewership through three rounds of the U.S. Open since the younger sister last competed in 2022.

The network said Wednesday that its coverage Friday, which featured the Williams sisters playing at night, averaged 1.1 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2. It peaked at 2.2 million from 10 to 10:15 p.m. EDT, with Serena and Venus losing in a match tiebreaker to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.

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