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Venus outlasts Serena for fifth Wimbledon title
Zack Pierce
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FOXSports.com
137 days ago
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Venus and Serena Williams met for the Wimbledon title for the third time. Serena got the better of Venus in 2002 and 2003, but Venus got revenge in 2008:
V. Williams beats S. Williams, 7-5, 6-4
The Championships, Wimbledon
Results:
Analysis:
Others:
Partners:
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Second set
Second serves made the difference in the first set, with Venus winning 47% of those points while Serena managed only 10% of hers. It's her big first serve that helps Venus avoid trouble in the first game, as she hits herself out of a 0-30 hole. Serena forces two deuces, but Venus gets the hold for 1-0.
Venus apparently broke her own record from earlier in the tournament with a 129 mile-per-hour serve in the first game. It doesn't stop Serena from popping a few lightning shots herself and holding with ease. Serena continues to make Venus work on her serve and finally earns the break she needed after a seven-deuce marathon in the third game.
It doesn't take long for Venus to strike back this time, as she jumps right back into attack mode and breaks for 2-2. Venus holds again for 3-2 and Serena sends her racquet into the turf again. She's starting to feel the pinch.
Venus gets another break point in the sixth game, but a screaming serve from Serena brings us to deuce and she holds for 3-3. Venus follows with her first truly easy hold of the match for a 4-3 lead.
Serena's serve falls into place also, as she holds quickly for 4-4. We're down to the wire in the second set. Venus wins a long rally on a crucial point by once again keeping Serena on the baseline and waiting her out. She holds and is one game from the Wimbledon title.
Serena's confidence is waning as she falls behind 15-40, giving Venus two championship points. Serena saves one but loses the second and Venus Williams has won her fifth Wimbledon title.
First set
Serena starts off strong, going after a Venus second serve and ripping it down the line for an early 0-15 lead. A Venus error and another winner from Serena gives the younger sister an early triple break point. Venus saves one, but Serena wins a long rally to get the early advantage.
Serena continues to play sharp tennis, adding a net approach to her strong early baseline game. She holds at love for a quick and clean 2-0 lead. Venus earns a hard-fought hold after going down 0-30 to keep herself kicking, down 2-1.
A strong serve carries Serena in the fourth game. She gets two points on aces down the middle, then kicks the serve wide and has Venus flailing. Venus' serve, meanwhile, is shaky. After a double fault, Serena rips a return winner for another break chance. Venus saves it after a fine point with a gorgeous cross-court volley at the net. A helpful bounce off the net cord gives Venus the edge again, and she holds.
Serena challenges a call on the sideline and turns an error into a winner, then serves her way to a comfortable hold. She's in a groove at 4-2. Venus follows with a hold, but she needs to act soon to save herself in the first set.
A double fault and an error give Venus a break chance, but Serena comes right back with a strong serve to force deuce. Venus continues attacking her sister's serve and gets the break she needs to pull even.
Just as the momentum seems to be swinging Venus' way, Serena benefits from a Venus error, wins a long rally and hits another beautiful return winner for a break chance. She comes to the net with the game in hand, but her volley doesn't quite do enough and Venus curls in a winner up the the line on the run. They battle through four deuces before Venus finally wins the game on an odd point. Serena shouted in the middle of play, realized the faux pas, and conceded the point to her sister. Sportsmanship wins again.
Serena serves herself out of trouble at 15-30, knocking a pair of aces and holding after a Venus mishit. It's tough to see who has the advantage right now, with each player looking crisp on their serve. Venus holds without incident to take a 6-5 lead.
Serena lets some frustration show as she falls behind 0-30 in the next game. Suddenly Venus is two points from the set. Serena gets those points back but gets caught in another baseline rally. Venus wins it to earn a set point. After another set of baseline strokes, Serena's shot hits the net and her racquet hits the turf. First set to Venus.
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