Upset was the name of the game at Wimbledon last week, opening the door to an all-Williams final–a sibling matchup that hasn’t been seen at the All England Club since 2003.
Four-time Wimbledon champ Venus Williams and two-time champ and younger sister, Serena Williams have amassed 14 Grand Slam singles titles between them – not to mention six Grand Slam double titles, and four mixed doubles titles.
Both have their eyes on the prize, with Venus looking to take home her fifth Wimbledon title, while Serena is looking to make her long-awaited comeback.
Which sister will be the last player standing?
Current Ranking:
Serena: 6
Venus: 7
Venus
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 6
Olympic gold medal in singles and doubles (2000 Sydney Olympics)
Grand Slam Wins:
Wimbledon – 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007
U.S. Open – 2000, 2001
Serena
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 8
2000 – Olympic gold medal in doubles (2000 Sydney Olympics)
Grand Slam Wins:
Australian Open – 2003, 2005, 2007
French Open – 2002
Wimbledon – 2002, 2003
US Open- 1999, 2002
Venus/Serena Grand Slam Head-to-Head Results:
1998 – Australian Open Second Round – Venus winner
2000 – Wimbledon Semifinal – Venus winner
2001 – U.S. Open Final – Venus winner
2002 – French Open Final – Serena winner
2002 – Wimbledon Final – Serena winner
2002 – U.S. Open Final – Serena winner
2003 – Australian Open Final – Serena winner
2003 – Wimbledon Final – Serena winner
2005 – U.S. Open Fourth Round – Venus winner
Other Tournament Head-to-Head Results:
1998: Italian Open – Quarterfinals – Venus winner
1999: Munich Grand Slam Cup – Final – Serena winner
1999: Lipton Championships (Miami) – Final – Venus winner
2002: NASDAQ-100 Open (Miami) – Semifinals – Serena winner
2005: NASDAQ-100 Open (Miami) – Quarterfinals – Venus winner
2008: Bangalore (India) Open – Semifinals – Serena winner
Paula Vergara is an experienced tennis journalist, who has worked as a regular contributor to On the Baseline Tennis News, USTA New England Magazine, and New England Sports Magazine. To view her work, visit her blog at www.paula-vergara.blogspot.com.
Thanks for the preview, Paula!
It has been a long five years since we saw an All-Williams final, and I have to say, it is a pleasant sight.
Venus and Serena Williams have turned their games off and on many times over the last half-decade, only to once again emerge as the two best players in the world.
Given the way the Top 5 looks at the moment, I would not be surprised to wake up one day and see them back to No. 1 and No. 2.
So – let’s talk picks and predictions!
I tapped Serena for the title two weeks ago, so I guess I probably should stick with my initial choice!
It’s hard to gauge what fans will get when these two meet, but if they can keep the family jitters and nerves at bay, this could be an entertaining match. Both women had a few rough spots in the semifinals, but I do believe that Serena holds the edge heading into Saturday’s final.
hmm.. didn’t serena play venus in miami in the quaters? i remember the score being 6-1, 6-1 for serena.
Jacob, you were close. Serena won 6-2, 6-2.
Thanks for noticing that error; the article has been corrected.
Venus will win. I’ve been wrong with all of my predictions this tournament, but I feel Venus can win. Venus holds the edge in movement and the bigger serve, which is so important on grass. Serena has a nice serve, but it will be ineffective agaisnt Venus. Those serves out wide will land right in Venus’ strike zone.
I don’t want this match to be entertaining. I want Venus to blow Serena off the court in 50 minutes (Nadal-Style)!
Jacob – nice catch! I’m still very torn about my predictions – Since Venus is a four-time winner, I’m leaning towards her, but Serena could surprise her older sister and squash her opportunity for a 5th Wimbledon win. Either way, it will be a close match.
Well I think Serena will have to win this year. She is player much better than Venus, but as we all know they will just go out and play and have fun together, much like a practice match and whoever wins wins.
You think they will treat it like a practice match? I don’t. Serena is too serious for that.
I think Venus will play her heart out. I really really hope that she wins!
@Steven Finch,
I admit that the match up is anti-climactic (a Wimbledon Final of Venus vs Henin would have been a thriller!). But I wouldn’t say they will treat it like a “practice match.”
On paper Venus has the edge in terms of movement and in serving power as well as accuracy. However, when it’s Venus vs Serena it will come down to mental focus.
In many of the Grand Slam finals against her sister I have observed Venus trembling and visibly nervous in the third set.
To be sure, the finals are a big pressure-filled stage and such meetings are momentous. “The only other sisters to face off in a major final were Maud and Lillian Watson, who met to decide the very first Wimbledon women’s championship in 1884.” (the Cincinnati news).
Also in the same article, “Our main focus is obviously both of us getting to the final,” Venus said. “Then, from there, it’s every Williams for themself.”
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080704/SPT/807040380/1078/COL02