In the 31st edition of one of the greatest stories in the sport, Serena Williams returned from a set to defeat her sister Venus 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in an intense match for the quarterfinals of the Top Seed to Reach Open in Lexington, Kentucky.
Since their first official meeting, aged 16 and 17, the Williams sisters have collectively achieved everything when they faced each other at all major stages. However, this experience was unique. Prior to the four consecutive Grand Slam finals between 2002 and 2003, this was the second round of the lowest category WTA tournaments in a small local club. There was no audience with the ambient sounds of cars driving down the road in its place. It felt personal.
Much of the build-up focused on how the older Williams spent her time in quarantine. She had worked on her businesses, debuted a game show and often hosted Instagram Live interviews, but, most importantly, used the first involuntary period in her career to rebuild her storage and advance technology. At 40 years old, after 26 years as a professional, she still carries the determination to get better.
While Venus excelled in her opening round victory over former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, Serena, who turns 39 next month, struggled poorly in her three-set victory over Bernarda Pera. After six months away rust rusted every aspect of her game and her victory relied on a moment of splendor, exploding in form with a deficit of 4-6, 4-4 and 0-40 to escape.
Form decided a lot from the early exchange, as Venus remained solid from 0-2 down, offering nothing for free and taking advantage of her sister’s mistakes when she won the first set 6-3. But after her opening match, Serena had jokingly said, “I think I won today because I was calm … for once in my career.”
She found peace in the silence of the crowdless courts and so she sought a solution by playing more conservatively. She stepped in on her goals, attacking through the middle and finding her range to secure the decisive break and take the second set 6-3.
But this was the second game after six months. Although there was some excellent shooting and intensity, there were enough mistakes, as rhythm changed in the blinking eye.
Just when Serena looked to take control of the game, serve bombs and dominate the baseline to lead, her early lead of 2-1 in the third set became a 4-2 deficit. But they remained calm and settled Venus back, breaking at 4-4 with a running backhand down-the-line winner before serving to win.
The head-to-head now stands at 19-12 for Serena, but Venus remains the player with by far the most victories against her sister and they have faced each other more than any other rival over the years.
It would be fitting if it turns out that their final match ended, as it started all those years ago in the public courts of Compton – in silence – but even before the couple took to court, the older sister made it clear that this is not in them plans: ‘Here we go again,’ said Venus with a shrug. “Number 31 and I’m also looking forward to the next one.”
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