Venus can eclipse bid for history
THE Williams sisters are used to making headlines – they have been doing it for the past 17 years – and today the outcome of their meeting at the US Open could be a stepping stone to even more history.
They will stand toe to toe for a place in the semi- fi nals, their 27th duel since they fi rst met on the professional circuit in 1998.
If Serena wins, she will be two matches away from achieving the Grand Slam, just four sets from holding all four of the major championship trophies in 2015. No one has done that since Steffi Graf in 1988. If Serena can do it, she will also equal Graf’s tally of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.
Such an achievement would put beyond doubt any question that Serena is the greatest female tennis player of all time.
But if Venus were to win, history could be derailed.
It would not stop Serena from eventually breaking Margaret Court’s record of titles but if she could stop her 33- year- old sister from completing the Grand Slam, she may well deny her the only chance she has to do the Grand Slam.
“I don’t think anyone wants to be a spoiler,” said Venus, 35. “I think people love to see history being made. But at the same time, you’re focused on winning your match.”
Serena claims to be calm and composed as she goes about her business in New York. Against Madison Keys on Sunday, she seemed to be getting into her championship rhythm, winning at a canter 6- 3, 6- 3. Now there is Venus to face.
They have played 26 times before, with Serena winning 15 of them, and Venus has won only once in their last seven matches in a run going back to 2009.
She was far too strong for the hapless Anett Kontaveit in the fourth round, winning 6- 2, 6- 1, and the ease of that win has made Serena take note.
“I’m playing, for me, the best player in the tournament, and that’s never easy,” said Serena.
In the men’s draw, it was certainly not easy for Novak Djokovic against Roberto Bautista Agut on Sunday night.
The world No 1 had barely broken sweat on his route to the second week of the Open but then suddenly the wheels came off against the Spaniard.
He eventually survived 6- 3, 4- 6, 6- 4, 6- 3 but not without a scare. ENGLAND will go into the World Cup rated the fourth best side in the world behind the southern hemisphere big boys.
‘ Is Serena greatest of all?’