PARIS — The new doubles partnership of Venus Williams and Coco Gauff didn't go very far at the French Open.
Williams, 40, and Gauff, 17, lost to 13th-seeded Ellen Perez and Zheng Saisai 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.
![Venus Williams and Coco Gauff bump fists during French Open doubles appearance, June 2, 2021](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b9e837a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4782x2996+0+0/resize/1280x802!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F55%2Fdf%2Fd602c1aa4713bba1795a2b5d65ba%2Fap21153466001476.jpg)
Michel Euler/AP
It marked the first time that Williams had played a Grand Slam doubles match with anyone but her sister.
She and Serena Williams have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.