Big Sister Wins

AP Photo

Former world number one Venus Williams reached the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships at the expense of her younger sister, Serena, after she beat the latter in a three-set thriller (6-1, 2-6, 7-6). The win also assured the former’s return to the world’s top five in next week’s rankings.

She will meet French player Virginie Razzano, who defeated 16th seed Estonian sensation Kaia Kanepi in two sets (6-1, 6-2)

The match between the Williams sisters have always been anticipated by tennis fans everywhere. This 19th meeting between the two was highly competitive wherein Serena broke her sister’s serve early on in the third set. However, Venus managed to fight back which led the final set to a tiebreak which she won (7-3).

The win was satisfying for the sixth ranked player considering this is an upset win over a top-ranked player and at the same time, regaining the lead in the sister’s head-to-head match record (10-9).

“Obviously, winning a match that close is satisfying, especially against the top-ranked player. Of course, when I walk on to the court with Serena I have respect for her, so that’s obviously the best part about winning,” she said after the match.

Venus will have a chance to avenge her defeat from Razzano. In their previous encounter, the Frenchwoman defeated Williams in the final of the Japan Open in 2007.