Those, including their rivals, who had hoped that one or the other would not last the pace and succumb to outside interests have been disappointed at Wimbledon — because the Williams show will be the only one in town for Saturday’s women’s final.
Belgium’s best — second seed Kim Clijsters and third seed Justine Henin-Hardenne — were unable to stop the Williams machine in Thursday’s semi-finals and now Venus has a chance to clinch a third crown here, while putting Serena, who beat her in last year’s final, in her place.
Both sisters have shown here over the past fortnight that their love of fashion is best at enhancing, rather than getting in the way, of their tennis — both of them hurtling around on the grass in style, Venus showing off a particularly slinky number designed by Diane von Furstenberg.
If they look good in the sartorial stakes both sisters have been no less impressive on court — crunching their rivals one after the other to ensure that they will now meet each other for the fifth time in the past six Grand Slam finals.
California-born Venus, at 23 just 15 months older than Michigan-born Serena and with an 8cm advantage at a statuesque 1,83m, enjoyed early supremacy in their battles as she won their opening three meetings.
But it was Serena who landed the first Grand Slam singles title for the family when she brought home the 1999 US Open. She then beat Venus in the final of the Grand Slam Cup.
Venus took revenge at 2000 Wimbledon in the semi-final where questions were asked as to whether either woman had the appetite to face her sibling before going on to win the title. They then paired up to win the doubles together at the All England Club and both returned home all smiles.
Venus, having first regained her Wimbledon crown, saw Serena off in an historic US Open final in 2001 for the first time the sisters met in a major final since Maud and Lilian Watson duelled at Wimbledon in 1884.
But that match 22 months ago has taken on added significance because since then Serena has won five matches on a roll and won four Grand Slams — landing a ”Serena Slam” in winning Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open and this year’s Australian Open — all at her sister’s expense.
Now the head to head count reads 6-5 in Serena’s favour, and she is determined to show she is top dog after the shock of losing the French Open semi-final to Henin-Hardenne.
On Thursday she put the diminutive Belgian firmly in her place with a 6-3, 6-2 win while Venus had to overcome a stomach problem in ousting Clijsters 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, recovering from a set and a break down in a rain interrupted encounter.
Serena says having Venus breathing down her neck is all the motivation she needs.
”When I see her playing so well I want to do better — I realise that I really want to stay on top.
”But I’ll definitely have to up my game. You can never stay on the same level,” said Serena, who admitted both sisters were glad their doubles campaign was already behind them following defeat to Russian 15th seeds Elena Dementieva and Lina Krasnoroutskaya.
Venus had looked the less likely finalist after a poor French Open campaign and various fitness niggles. But she has looked in excellent form to date here winning 82% of points at the net while serving 31 aces.She now has to turn the tables on Serena and end her sister’s recent dominance in Slam finals.
”All four times it was at least close. It wasn’t a total blowout.”
For Venus, the fact that it will once again be Serena on the other side of the net looking to end her dream of a Wimbledon hat trick is immaterial.
”Really I don’t see my opponent across the net. I just see the ball. I can only control what I’m doing on my side.” – Sapa-AFP