Serena gets big win over big sister
Steve Keating
Serena Williams claimed a rare win over big sister Venus on Thursday, moving into the final of Nasdaq-100 Open Masters with a stunningly ruthless 6-2 6-2 victory over the Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion.
The clash marked the eighth time the sport's most famous siblings had met as professionals but only the second that Serena had walked away the winner.
Even more impressive was the younger Williams performance, overwhelming the second seed and defending champion in just 50 minutes on a sun-baked centre court.
The victory also brought a screeching end to a remarkable run of success on the Miami hardcourts by Venus, who had been unbeaten at this event since a second round loss to Martina Hingis in 1997.
Venus came into the contest riding a 24-match win streak that included consecutive titles in 1998, 1999 and last year. She did not compete here in 2000 due to injury.
"I was a little bit shocked by the scoreline, admitted Serena, who will meet the winner of the other semifinal between world number one Jennifer Capriati and fifth seed Monica Seles. "It's been next to impossible to beat Venus at this tournament.
"Venus likes to make a lot of comebacks. I knew she wasn't going to give it to me, I was going to have to win it.
"This is definitely a very big milestone for me and all the younger sisters and brothers out there. But this is just one week.
GREAT RIVALRY
"The next time maybe we'll be together at the Italian Open, then the French Open. This just sets up a great rivalry."
Clashing for the first time since last year's U.S. Open final, Venus and Serena entered the sizzling centre court with the song, "We are Family" blaring across a half-full stadium.
But family feelings were quickly forgotten as Serena went to work, breaking Venus to open the match and then holding serve to surge in front 2-0.
With Venus uncharacteristically tentative and her groundstrokes unsure, Serena continued her aggressive assault and was rewarded with another break increasing her advantage to 5-2.
Venus looked to re-group in the second set, holding her opening serve but would not do so again as Serena powered her way through the next four games to assume absolute control.
When Venus's forehand return sailed long to end the contest the sisters moved to the net but there would be no warm embrace such as the one seen at the conclusion of last year's U.S. Open.
"We didn't say anything really," offered a subdued Venus. "Just the normal 'good match.' I say that to everyone.
"I just felt like I never got into the match, before I knew it, it was over.
"I think she's definitely a better player than she was a year ago, two years ago. She's only getting better."
Having missed much of the early season sidelined by an ankle injury just prior to the Australian Open, Serena has gone from strength to strength since her return although playing in just one event where she beat Capriati in the Scottsdale final.
In Miami the 20-year-old has been in awesome form, demolishing former world number one Martina Hingis in the quarter-finals 6-4 6-0 and reaching the final without dropping a set.
"When I'm playing decent tennis, it's really hard for anyone to beat me," said Serena. "We'll see what happens next.
"Number one that's my goal.
"I was serious at the beginning of the year when I said it, and I'm serious now. That's where I want to be, top spot."
