Serena Beats Venus At Wimbledon, Stays On Track For Grand Slam
LONDON (CBSNewYork/AP) — Serena Williams extended her mastery over big sister Venus, and kept alive her bid for Grand Slam history.
In the 26th career meeting between the siblings, Serena dominated with her steady serve and big hitting from the back of the court to win 6-4, 6-3 on Centre Court in 1 hour, 8 minutes, extending her Grand Slam winning streak to 25 matches.
The win sent the top-ranked Serena into the Wimbledon quarterfinals as she bids for a fourth straight Grand Slam title, a feat last accomplished by the younger Williams in 2003.
If Serena can triumph again, only the U.S. Open would stand in her way of becoming the first player to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam — a sweep of all four majors in the same season — since Steffi Graf in 1988.
When Venus hit a backhand long on break point to end the match, Serena showed no emotion and did not celebrate. She walked slowly to the net, where the two sisters hugged. They walked off the court together.
"It's hard to feel excited about (beating) someone you root for all the time no matter what and who you love so much and she's your best friend in the world," Serena said. "It's never easy but you just play for the competition and enjoy the moment."
Both sisters have won Wimbledon five times, but Serena also has a total of 20 Grand Slam titles. Another Wimbledon title will put her just one behind Graf, who holds the Open era record with 22.
"It was really good for me to get it done in straight sets, and just put this behind me and just move forward," Serena said.
Monday's victory improved her career record against Venus to 15-11, including 8-5 in Grand Slams and 4-2 at Wimbledon. This was the sisters' first meeting at a major since the 2009 Wimbledon final, which was won by Serena.
"It was really good for me to get it done in straight sets and put this behind me," Serena said.
Serena broke twice in each set and lost serve just once. She had 10 aces, as well as a total of 26 winners and 13 unforced errors.
"I think I served well today," she said. "I didn't hit huge serves, I hit one big serve, but other than that I think I just was really consistent with my serve. She was playing really well, so at the end I was able to come through."
Veus Williams was playing in her 18th Wimbledon. She was the oldest remaining woman in the draw at 35.
"It definitely doesn't get easier," Serena said. "But today I was out there and I just thought, 'Wow, I'm 33, and she just turned 35, I don't know how many more moments like this we'll have.'
"I plan on playing for years but you never know if we'll have the opportunity to face each other. I just took the moment in and I thought, 'We're at Wimbledon.' I remember when I was 8 years old, we dreamed of this moment and it was kind of surreal for a minute there."
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