The Rivalry between Serena and Venus Williams Part VII
This special feature pays homage to the relationship and rivalry between two of the greatest Women’s Tennis Association players, Venus and Seerna Williams. The first six parts included both an introduction to the sisters, and an
account of their professional battles from 1999 to the year 2005. This segment will analyze the years from 2006 to 2008, and the feats accomplished by the siblings during this time.
2006:
In this year, the two sisters did not win any Grand Slam titles. This was once again attributed to their recovering injuries and the fact that they had still not recovered fully from the death of their sister, Yetunde Prince.
2007:
Venus and Serena Williams did not compete against each other in this year, but it was nonetheless a successful one for the sisters. Serena Williams defeated up and coming Russian tennis pro Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 6-1,
6-2 and won the Australian Open for the third time. Meanwhile, Venus Williams claimed the 2007 Wimbledon Championships title by defeating French pro Marion Bartoli.
2008: Bangalore Open, Wimbledon, US Open, Sony Ericsson Championships
The Williams sisters had their first professional meeting in two years at the Bangalore Open. This was also the first match the pair played at a Tier II event. This is the only match the two sisters have played which ended in a
tiebreak in the third set, with Serena snagging a victory at 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4). According to commentator Tracy Austin, the sisters were “busting a gut to win”.
Their next match was at the All England Club, a court the two sisters were already familiar with and had played on against one another four times prior to 2008. It was their third final at Wimbledon. The match was intense and ruthless,
with both players fighting hard for the top position. Big shots were hit and served, and the sisters also kept up defence and court coverage. It was arguably the best match which Serena and Venus had played against each other. Tennis legend and commentator
John “Superbrat” McEnroe labelled it a “borderline classic”. Venus Williams took away a 7-5, 6-4 victory at this match.
The two sisters then joined forces once again to seize the doubles title on the grass courts. They also grabbed a second Olympic Gold Medal the same year as a doubles team.
The Williams met for the third time in 2008 at Flushing Meadows. This time, fourth seed Serena Williams took revenge for the Wimbledon defeat and ousted her sister, who was seventh seed in the quarterfinals of the US Open. The
match was resolved with a score line of 7-6(6), 7-6(7). TENNIS magazine called it the best women’s singles match to be played in 2008.
The fourth and final time the sisters faced each other in 2008 was at the end of year Sony Ericsson championships during the Round Robin stage. Venus won the match 5-7, 6-1, 6-0, scoring a fry and a bagel over her sister.
Recap:
The years from 2006 to 2008 were once again affected by the injuries and losses of the Williams sisters. This time span was filled with ups and downs. Serena and Venus Williams did not compete against each other in 2006, and they
did not win any Grand Slams. Similarly, the sisters did not play with each other in 2007, although both players won Grand Slams that year. At the end of 2008, the Williams sisters had a new head to head record of 9 all. They had competed in four matches, and
both of them had won two apiece. Where Grand Slams were concerned, Venus won the Wimbledon Championships and Serena seized the US Open cup.
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