Serena: Rivalry will be as strong as ever
Serena Williams says she won’t go easy on sister Venus after the pair booked their places in tomorrow’s final at Wimbledon.
The siblings ensured a third family affair on Centre Court tomorrow after securing straight-sets victories in their respective semi-finals yesterday.
But sixth seed Serena, 26, who has won both the previous Wimbledon finals against Venus, in 2002 and 2003, says she will not roll over and let her older sister claim a fifth Wimbledon title without a fight.
“It’s got easier for me personally because I just realise that I want to win this Wimbledon, Serena said. “This is a grand slam, this is history, and we’re both trying to make our mark.
“It’s easy, especially with sibling rivalry. I personally want everything that Venus has. If she won the trophy I would desperately want it. We leave everything on the court because this is the final of Wimbledon.”
Two-time champion Serena booked her place in the final after holding off the challenge of Chinese wildcard Zheng Jie in a rain-affected semi-final.
Zheng has enjoyed a memorable run to the semi-finals, including a shock victory over world number one Ana Ivanovic, but found the American just too strong as she went down 6-2 in the opening set.
Back she came in the second set, however, by opening up a 4-2 lead before Serena broke back to force a tie-break, which she eventually won 7-5.
That secured her a final place with four-time champion Venus, who held off a determined challenge from fifth seed Elena Dementieva to advance to her seventh Wimbledon showdown.
The 28-year-old blasted through the opening set for the loss of just one game but was made to fight all the way in the second before sealing a 6-1 7-6 (7 3) victory.
“It’s so exciting,” Venus added. “I’m looking forward to the final.”