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Venus and Serena both win at US Open, setting up all-Williams third-round match

It will be the 30th career match between the 38-year-old Venus and 36-year-old Serena. Serena leads the family battle 17-12, and is 10-5 at the Grand Slams.
Venus Williams of the United States greets sister Serena Williams of the United States after their match on day nine of the 2015 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — Venus Williams’ second-round victory over Camila Giorgi, in essence, was just a vehicle to help deliver the possibility of the most anticipated match at this US Open.

Since the women’s draw was released last week, the conversation has been all about the potential of an all-Williams third-round encounter.

The 16th-seeded Venus did her part under the broiling sun Wednesday, with temperatures soaring to 96 degrees. She sent Giorgi packing 6-4, 7-5 in nine minutes shy of the two-hour mark.

Hours later under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Serena did her part, cranking up her serve and cruising past Carina Witthoeft of Germany 6-2, 6-2.

It will be the 30th career match between the 38-year-old Venus and 36-year-old Serena. Serena leads the family battle 17-12, and is 10-5 at the Grand Slams.

The first time the siblings played was in the 1998 Australian Open second round with Venus winning. The last time they played was in this year’s Indian Wells third round in March with Venus also winning.

On the court after her victory, Venus remembered back to her last outing against Serena at a Grand Slam. They competed in the 2017 Australian Open final — it was Venus’ first Grand Slam final since she lost to Serena in the 2009 Wimbledon championship match.

According to what Venus told the crowd Wednesday, her sister had an advantage in that most recent Australian Open match.

“The last time we played the Australian it was two against one,” said Venus, laughing, making note that she was one of the few people at the time to know Serena was pregnant. “At least this time it’s going to be fair.”

Getting through Giorgi came with its challenges as both players struggled with their serve. Venus converted on five of 10 break point opportunities, but also saw her own serve broken on three of 12 break points she faced.

The telling game came at 4-4 in the second set when Williams fell to 0-40, and saved a total of five break points to go up 5-4. Williams stayed on serve and scored the victory when the Italian dumped a forehand approach shot into the net when serving the final game.

“That love-40 game at 4-all, it was not looking good,” Williams said. “I was saying to myself, ‘Venus, this is not looking good.”

But in the end, Venus Williams’ 20th career US Open continues on to the third round. The hope is her sister, Serena, will be standing across the net in that upcoming match. If not, Venus will have to settle for an encounter with Witthoeft for the prize of a fourth-round berth.

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