Tennis fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Venus and Serena Williams to the doubles court, four years after the sisters last teamed up at the US Open. They are set to reunite as a pair at the Cincinnati Open on August 17 after receiving a wildcard entry. In their opening match, they will face accomplished singles players Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
Just like the Williams sisters, Kostyuk and Stearns have also received a wildcard entry into the doubles draw.
All to Know About Venus and Serena Williams’ Opponents Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns
Ukraine’s Kostyuk, ranked No. 11 in singles, and Cincinnati native Stearns, No. 53, have joined forces for the first time. Both players also feature in the singles draw. Kostyuk has advanced to the third round, where she faces Sloane Stephens, while Stearns was eliminated in the second round after a closely fought defeat to Clara Tauson on Sunday.
Kostyuk has enjoyed greater success in doubles, winning a pair of WTA 250 titles in 2022 and 2023. She also reached a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 27 in 2023. Stearns, the 2022 NCAA champion with the Texas Longhorns, achieved a career-best doubles ranking of No. 46 earlier this year but is still searching for her first title in the discipline.
Both players recorded their best WTA 1000 doubles results in 2023. Stearns and partner Magda Linette reached the semifinals of the China Open, while Kostyuk advanced to the last four in Madrid alongside Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
The 24-year-olds are nowhere near matching Venus and Serena Williams’ illustrious records in singles or doubles, where the sisters have won 14 Grand Slam titles together. However, Kostyuk and Stearns are enjoying solid seasons, with Kostyuk reaching new heights by winning her maiden WTA 1000 singles title in Madrid and advancing to the semifinals at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Peyton Stearns also enjoyed a title-winning run earlier this season, lifting her second career trophy at the WTA 250 in Austin in February. She notably partnered Venus Williams in the doubles draw at the same event, though their campaign ended in the first round with a loss to Taylor Townsend and Storm Hunter.
Interestingly, Stearns was the last player to fall to Venus in singles. Venus defeated the American at the 2025 Mubadala DC Open but has since lost 14 consecutive matches, with Emiliana Arango handing her the latest defeat in Cincinnati.
Kostyuk has yet to share the court with either Williams sister at the tour level, but she did have the opportunity to team up with Venus while representing the Washington Kastles in the 2019 World TeamTennis season.
Venus and Serena’s doubles match against Kostyuk and Stearns is scheduled to begin no earlier than 7:00 p.m. local time on Grandstand Court.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.