Venus and Serena Williams continue to move toward an all-sister collision in this year’s Wimbledon final, despite not being unanimous favorites. Saturday, June 25, found them both having moved successfully through to the tournament’s fourth round and into the second week. They’re on opposite sides of the draw, which leaves the door open for a championship dual between the two.
Venus Williams took out Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Friday in dominating fashion by downing her 6-0, 6-2 in an hour’s time. It was sweatless and just what the doctor ordered to give the 31-year-old four days to rest before starting the business end of the tournament. Serena wore down Russia’s Maria Kirilenko 6-3 and 6-2 in her first two-set finish at the tournament this year, causing tennis prognosticators to raise their brows.
The sisters are the only remaining American women in the tournament, now with only 16 women remaining, and have nine Wimbledon titles between them. If Serena wins this year’s title, she’ll be the first woman since Steffi Graf to do a three-peat at the All England Club. Both sisters are playing progressively better with each match, shaking off the rust of the extended time away from the game.
Venus next faces Tsvetana Pironkova, the Bulgarian woman who upset her in last years quarterfinal, and Serena will face tenacious Marion Bartoli of France:
“Every match is getting better, my serve is getting better, just getting the rhythm that I’ve been missing, it’s great,” Serena said. “I just want to enjoy myself and stay focused. Bartoli is really good, she won in Eastbourne, she’s doing great, so it’ll be a good match. “
