LONDON, July 5 — Just hours after battling it out for the Wimbledon singles title yesterday, the Williams sisters returned to Centre Court united as team mates to retain their doubles crown.
Understandably looking a little tired, the duo took a while to get into full swing but as they powered to a 7-6 6-4 victory over Australia’s Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs they soon proved their rock-solid partnership was still intact.
“There’s nothing like winning a title with your sister,” 27-year-old Serena told reporters. “It’s really a good feeling.”
“Definitely,” older sibling Venus chipped in with a smile.
Serena, who had earlier downed Venus in straight sets to claim her third Wimbledon singles crown, hit a forehand long to gift the Australians a break in the third game of the first set.
But as the number three seeds held serve to take a 3-1 lead Serena drew on her well-known steely determination, standing hand on hip as she gave her sister a pep talk before the start of the next game.
POWERFUL AGGRESSION
The fourth seeded pair, who had dropped a total of just 21 games in their five previous doubles matches in the tournament, fought back hard, hitting every ball with powerful aggression to break 38-year-old Stubbs’ serve and draw level at 4-4.
“They’re a really good team, so they definitely pushed us to play our best tennis on the most important points,” said 29-year-old Venus. “Even if you’re tired you ignore it, just keep the adrenaline going.”
The five-time singles champion netted a ball to throw away set point at 6-5. But the sisters dominated the tiebreak, with Venus securing a 7-4 win with a volley down the middle of the court.
Their teamwork was solid in the second set, with Serena jumping in to rescue a shot Venus missed before volleying to clinch the pair, who already held eight grand slam doubles titles together, a break in the seventh game.
Serving for the match the women’s singles champion sealed her second title of the day with a powerful ace, jumping up in delight before embracing her sister Venus, whose beaming smile eclipsed her earlier disappointment.
Having played a total of over three hours of tennis in Wimbledon finals yesterday, the double act were too exhausted to contemplate celebrating their Independence Day victory.
“We’ve had a long day,” said Serena. “We’re just still trying to figure out what we’re going to do.” — Reuters
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