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

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Venus Williams, right, and Serena Williams, of the United States, slap hands during the third set as they play against Hao-Ching Chan, of Taiwan, and Maya Joint, of Australia, during a women's doubles match at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Venus, left, and Serena Williams, of the United States, acknowledge the fans after losing a women's doubles match against Hao-Ching Chan, of Taiwan, and Maya Joint, at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) — Venus Williams, right, and Serena Williams, of the United States, slap hands during the third set as they play against Hao-Ching Chan, of Taiwan, and Maya Joint, of Australia, during a women's doubles match at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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8:22 PM on Wednesday, September 9

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — 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.

Friday's coverage was a 17% increase from last year, with another average of 1.1 million on ESPN2 on Saturday a 37% jump from last year.

The tournament averaged 846,000 viewers through the third round, the most viewed since 2022.

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