07/05/2008
Venus Williams survived a fierce onslaught from Serena Williams to win her fifth Wimbledon singles title on Saturday, finally subduing her younger sister 7-5 6-4.
Venus fought back from a break down in both sets to trump her sister in high-quality contest on a windswept Centre Court. A scooped backhand wide from Serena handed Venus victory following an absorbing battle lasting one hour and 51 minutes.
In her moment of triumph, a beaming Venus quickly ran to the net to offer her sibling a consolation embrace. "I can't believe it's five. But when you're in the final against Serena Williams, five seems so far away. She played so awesome, it was really a test", the 28-year-old American said after successfully defending her title. "It's so rewarding to perform here and that everytime I come back here I have the ultimate chance to play well and make history".
The American siblings met in a grand slam showpiece for the seventh time although the last time they clashed in a major final was at Wimbledon five years ago when Serena won a subdued battle against an unfit Venus.
Saturday's victory also allowed Venus to gain some sweet revenge. She had beaten Serena at the 2001 U.S. Open but lost the five finals since and trailed their overall head-to-heads 7-8. On Saturday, though, the sun was shining down on Venus.
Serena, 26 and 15 months younger than her sister, began the final in ominous fashion producing a series of searing service returns to break the seventh seed in the opening game. With gusting winds blowing through Center Court, Venus often struggled with her ball toss and could have gone a double break down had Serena converted another break point in the fifth game. But a low angled forehand volley winner got Venus out of trouble and she then suddenly found her range to level at 4-4.
The American sisters traded pounding groundstrokes from the baseline until Venus pounced in the 12 game to take the set when Serena slapped a backhand into the net.
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