The sibling showdown has concluded!

In their highly anticipated matchup at the U.S. Open in Queens, Serena Williams emerged victorious over her elder sister, Venus Williams, with a score of 6-1, 6-2. This marked their 30th head-to-head match since their first encounter on the court 20 years ago. Seeded 17th, Serena faced off against Venus, seeded 16th, in the third round of the Grand Slam tournament. Serena, aged 36, secured the win over Venus, aged 38, with a 2-0 set victory, propelling her to the round of 16.

Reflecting on the match in an interview afterward, Serena acknowledged the emotional complexity of competing against her sister. She described Venus as her best friend and someone who holds immense significance in her life. Serena expressed gratitude for Venus’s unwavering support throughout her career and emphasized the mutual support they share. Despite the inherent challenge of facing off against her sister, Serena recognized the broader context of the tournament and their lives beyond tennis, emphasizing the importance of perspective and their enduring bond.

After twisting her ankle early in the first set’s second game, Serena requested a medical timeout and had her ankle wrapped by a trainer after the third game. In a post-match interview, she explained that she frequently experiences ankle rolls, so she wanted to ensure it was tightly taped for the remainder of the match to assess her condition the following day.

Despite the injury scare, Serena displayed resilience and determination. Following the ankle taping, she quickly regained her momentum and proved to be unstoppable. Throughout the first set, Serena maintained her serve impeccably and managed to break Venus’ serve in two games. With her powerful serves, including four aces, and a strong overall performance, she convincingly won the first set 6-1.

In the second set, Serena continued her dominance, delivering powerful returns of serve. Although Venus managed to secure two games, it wasn’t enough to overcome her younger sister’s prowess. Serena clinched the second set 6-2, sealing her victory.

Reflecting on her journey back to competitive tennis after giving birth, Serena expressed satisfaction with her performance in the match, deeming it her best since returning to the sport. She credited her improved play to her relentless hard work over the past several months, particularly in the last eight weeks. Serena emphasized the importance of perseverance and dedication in overcoming challenges, highlighting the necessity of continued effort regardless of setbacks or successes.

Following the match, the sisters shared an embrace, and Venus graciously acknowledged the crowd with a wave as she exited the court.