Serena beats Venus in two sets at Wimbledon

LONDON — Serena Williams watched her opponent’s shot land beyond the baseline on match point.

She did not let out a shout, pump a fist or even crack a smile. This was no time to celebrate — not with older sister Venus at the other end of the court.

Serena trudged slowly to the net after her 6-4, 6-3 fourth-round win on Centre Court, and the two siblings shared a warm embrace at the end of their latest all-Williams matchup.

“It’s hard to feel excited about (beating) someone you root for all the time no matter what and who you love so much and she’s your best friend in the world,” Serena said. “It’s never easy but you just play for the competition and enjoy the moment.”

In the 26th career meeting between the siblings, Serena dominated with her steady serve and big hitting from the back of the court, extending her Grand Slam winning streak to 25 matches.

The win sent the top-ranked Serena into the Wimbledon quarterfinals as she bids for a fourth straight Grand Slam title, a feat last accomplished by the younger Williams in 2003.

If Serena can triumph again, only the U.S. Open would stand in her way of becoming the first player to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam — a sweep of all four majors in the same season — since Steffi Graf in 1988.

“Sometimes you have to play people that you don’t want to play,” Serena said. “That happens. But overall I just enjoy it. ‘’

Among others advancing Monday was 2013 men’s champion Andy Murray, who beat 6-foot-11 Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7), 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the eighth consecutive year. Karlovic served 29 aces but Murray broke twice and had only nine unforced errors.

Defending champion Novak Djovic and seven-time winner Roger Federer played late matches on “Manic Monday” — with all 16 men’s and women’s fourth-round matches on the schedule.

Both Williams sisters have won Wimbledon five times, but Serena also has a total of 20 Grand Slam titles. Another Wimbledon title will put her just one behind Graf, who holds the Open era record with 22.

Serena broke twice in each set and lost serve just once. She had 10 aces, as well as 36 winners and 13 unforced errors.

Monday’s victory improved her career record against Venus to 15-11, including six out of their last seven matches, 8-5 in Grand Slams and 4-2 at Wimbledon. This was the sisters’ first meeting at a major since the 2009 Wimbledon final, which was won by Serena.

Venus Williams, playing in her 18th Wimbledon, was the oldest woman in the draw at 35.

This was the earliest all-Williams match in a Slam since they met in the fourth round at the 2005 U.S. Open. Venus was asked whether it felt different playing her sister at such an early stage.

“It’s definitely anticlimactic if this isn’t a semifinal or a final,” she said. “It’s different. Especially when she’s going for something this historic, which is achievable for her.”

Serena will next face another familiar opponent — Victoria Azarenka, the two-time Australian Open champion from Belarus. Azarenka beat 18-year-old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-3.

Williams holds a 16-3 career advantage against Azarenka, including a 9-0 record in Grand Slam matches.

Serena was one of three American women to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals Monday, along with CoCo Vandeweghe and Madison Keys. It’s the first time that’s happened since 2004 when Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport and Serena made it to the final eight.

The other women’s quarterfinal matchups were set: 2004 champion Maria Sharapova against 47th-ranked Vandeweghe, Keys against Agnieszka Radwanska, and No. 15 Timea Bacsinszky against Monica Niculescu.

Vandeweghe surprised French Open runner-up and sixth-seeded Lucie Safavora 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4). Vandeweghe had never gone past the third round of any major until this year’s Wimbledon.

Sharapova downed Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-4. Sharapova has not dropped a set so far, losing only 23 games in four matches.

The 20-year-old Keys got to the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time, beating 122nd-ranked Olga Govortsova of Belarus 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Richard Gasquet held off 20-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios 7-5, 6-1, 6-7 (7) 7-6 (6) to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time since making it to the semifinals in 2007.

Gasquet will now face Stan Wawrinka, who hasn’t dropped a set all tournament. The fourth-seeded Swiss beat Belgium’s David Goffin 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-4.

Vasek Pospisil rallied from two sets down to overcome No. 22 Viktor Troicki 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Pospisil — the third Canadian man to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, after Robert Powell (1908, ‘10, ‘12) and Milos Raonic (2014) — will play Murray next.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.