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Double Spoil: Venus Captures Wimbledon Singles Title, Serena Settles For Consolation Prize

The stars were perfectly aligned at Wimbledon this fortnight for Venus Williams. Despite trying her best, sister Serena could not impede the defending champion from taking the trophy with which she shares a first name. Venus eliminated Serena in the women’s final 7-5, 6-4.

When the Williams siblings play, the quality of the match is a toss up. Serena seems to have no qualms about beating her older sister. In fact, Serena has won 7 of their last 10 matches, their most recent meeting was in Bangolore this March. In the Wimbledon final, Venus started with a case of the jitters; she readily lost her opening service game. Moreover, on multiple occasions, Venus fended off break points and despite a bevy of unforced errors; she prohibited Serena from extending her lead. As the match progressed, Venus settled down by coming to the net, perhaps the most reliable part of her game, with tremendous success. Her first opportunity to break came in the eight game courtesy of an awful service game by Serena, Venus won a long rally to get back on serve 4-4. Subsequently, Serena had the chance to edge ahead, but Venus managed to hold on to her serve for 6-5. Dismayed at her erratic performance after going down 0-30, Serena tried to rev herself up with a few fist pumps. Eventually though, Venus arrived at set point and prevailed after an error by Serena.

Serena attempted to get an early lead in the second set and had several break point chances in the initial game, but failed to convert. Finally in the third game, after many long rallies, seven break chances and two falls by her opponent, Serena obtained a 2-1 advantage. Yet, this lead was brief with Venus breaking back with ease for 2-2. From then on, Serena was in trouble, saving break point prior to getting the ad for 3-3. On serve, Venus’ habitually shaky forehand was solid, besting Serena in two long rallies. Afterwards, Serena glanced at her mother as if to say: “why are things not going my way”, but Oracene’s stoic expression never wavered, Venus went up 5-4. After a great volley, Venus had double match point. Serena saved one with an excellent serve. But on the second, a deep return by Venus produced the error by Serena, giving her big sister the championship. The keys to the match were Venus’ service, particularly her second, and her strong performance at net. With this second straight Wimbledon trophy and her fifth overall, Venus has distinguished herself as an elite grass court player.

That evening, the Williams’ went back on court for the women’s doubles final against Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur. Venus and Serena were all smiles. Crushing their opponents 6-2, 6-2 in order to win their third Wimbledon doubles title.

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