Venus Williams ended her sister Serena’s three-year reign at Key Biscayne on Tuesday with a 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) quarterfinal victory in the WTA Tour tier-one event.
It was the 13th meeting between the sisters and their first since Serena’s triumph in the 2003 Wimbledon final. Venus, who had lost the previous six meetings, now trails in their career head-to-head 7-6.
Serena Williams, seeded third, had been hoping to extend the winning streak that saw her capture the title in Miami in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Instead, Venus will have a chance to add a fourth title to her Key Biscayne triumphs in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
Venus advanced to a semifinal showdown with Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, the second seed, who beat Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-1, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2. — Sapa-AFP