Like it or not, it’s on now
Venus set to take on Serena in Round 3
Here we go again.
In their 20th year of facing each other as tennis professionals, the Williams’ will collide in round 3 of the US Open on Friday.
And in case you forgot, both sisters would rather be playing somebody else.
“I never root against her, no matter what,” Serena Williams said. “So I think that’s the toughest part for me. When you always want someone to win, to have to beat them. I know the same thing is for her. When she beats me, she always roots for me as well.”
Nonetheless, the matchup was sealed Wednesday night on Ashe when Serena obliterated helpless Carina Witthoeft of Germany, 6-2, 6-2. Earlier in the day, Venus wiped
away Italy’s Camila Goirgi in straight sets.
Serena, 36 years old and seeded 17th, is competing in her second major since becoming a mother. She was outfitted in allpurple Wednesday and she bruised 101-ranked Witthoeft with 13 aces and 30 winners. The match lasted just 67 minutes and her serve hit 121 mph.
Serena has the edge in the sibling rivalry, 17-12, with 15 of those victories coming in the last 22 matchups. However, Venus won their last contest in March on hardcourt at Indian Wells. It was Serena’s first tournament after giving birth.
“She also knows my game really well. We grew up together obviously,” Serena said. “It’s really interesting to play someone that knows. You have to almost become a different player, which is another challenge, as well. I think that’s also something that helps her.”
While Serena expressed disappointment that she’ll face her sister so early in the tournament, the winner caught a break in her side of the bracket. Top-seeded Simona Halep would’ve awaited a Williams in the next round, but she was bounced on opening day by Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.
Venus, 38, was in no mood to talk about facing her sister.
“I’m the kind of person who looks forward,” she said. “So I try to learn from the past and try to enjoy the moment in the future.”
Asked again about Serena, Venus had enough.
“You’re beating it up now. Any other questions about anything else.”
Serena hasn’t won the US Open since 2014, her longest drought of the four majors. She has six championships at Flushing dating back to 1998, but lost the 2001 Final to her Venus.
Regardless of what happens Friday, the Williams sisters continue to represent the most compelling story on the women’s tour.
“It’s incredible what they’ve done,” Andy Murray said. “I mean, amazing really. Obviously there’s been other siblings that have had fantastic careers in tennis, but none anywhere close to what they’ve managed to achieve. I’d be surprised if anything like that ever happens again.”