Serena disputes Venus' tag

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-3  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

Serena (left) and Venus Williams talk to each other during their rain-hit doubles quarterfinals against Bethanie Mattek of the US and India's Sania Mirza at Wimbledon in London yesterday. More in photo gallery

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ONE prematch glance on Tuesday at the data displayed on those fancy, new digital scoreboards at staid, old Wimbledon provided a pretty persuasive case for why Venus Williams might be considered the woman to beat.

The entry under career record at the grasscourt grand slam: "55-7." The listing of her best result: "WINNER 2007, 2005, 2001, 2000."

Yet another reason to like the American's chances: The way she served during the ensuing 6-4, 6-3 quarterfinal victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn - smacking eight aces, saving nine of the 10 break points, tying her Wimbledon record with a 127 mph (204 kph) delivery.

That extended Williams' winning streak at the All England Club to 12 matches, including 19 sets in a row. Nonetheless, at least one person who knows a thing or two about tennis and a thing or two about Venus Williams flatly rejected the notion that she's the favorite: Serena Williams.

Asked after her own impressive quarterfinal victory - 6-4, 6-0 against 11th-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska - whether her elder sister should be considered the likeliest champion, Serena shot back: "I would never sit here and say she's the favorite when I'm still in the draw. What are you on?"

Rather than a sibling rivalry, that response perhaps reflects nothing more than the sort of competitive drive that helped the younger Williams win eight grand slam singles titles. That haul includes the 2002 and 2003 Wimbledon championships, each time concluded by beating her sister.

One more win apiece, and they'll reprise the all-in-the-family final tradition on Saturday. In today's semifinals, Serena will face 133rd-ranked Zheng Jie, who became the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals at a major tournament by upsetting 18th seed Nicole Vaidisova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

Venus next plays the highest-seeded remaining woman, No. 5 Elena Dementieva, who beat Russian compatriot No. 21 Nadia Petrova 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-3.