Serena Williams is into the third round of the US Open, where she will face a familiar foe: her sister, Venus Williams. Serena bested Carina Witthoeft in her second-round match to punch her ticket into the next round, 6-2, 6-2.
Serena Williams to face sister Venus for 30th time in US Open third round
Serena bested Carina Witthoeft in the 2nd round, while Venus took down Camila Giorgi. Serena leads the all-time rivalry, but it’s close on hard courts.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Serena, the 17th seed, looked sharp and strong in her win, and though she lost the last time she faced her sister, she’s in much better shape now. That was on display in both of her matches thus far in New York.
Venus, the 16th seed, needed three sets to take down the tough Svetlana Kuznetsova in her opener, but she got it done, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. She then faced Camila Giorgi on Wednesday, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. Venus hit fewer winners and didn’t have a great first-serve percentage in (68 percent), but she hit fewer unforced errors and and converted on five of her 10 break attempts.
In the first set against Witthoeft, Serena gave up an early break, but ultimately found her serve and returned well, taking the set with a comfortable 6-2 mark. Witthoeft fought back again at the start of the second, holding serve in close games, but ultimately wasn’t able to get it done.
Wednesday’s match was the first time Serena has played Witthoeft.
Serena’s first-round opponent was Magda Linette, and the 23-time Grand Slam singles winner looked fantastic. Serena was using her movement much more efficiently and she overwhelmed Linette, who wasn’t even playing poorly, 6-4, 6-0.
The Williams Sisters rivalry has seen many swings in momentum, with Serena winning three straight before Venus beat her at Indian Wells earlier this year, 6-4, 6-4.
Overall, Serena leads the head-to-head, 17-12. Serena’s last win over Venus was in the final of the 2017 Australian Open. In Grand Slam matches, Serena leads Venus, 10-5. On hard courts, it’s much closer, with Serena holding a 10-9 edge. Venus can make hard courts the only surface on which she’s matched her sister if she can win.
Serena and Venus are slated to play their match on Friday.
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