Serena Williams Takes Out Sister Venus At Madison Square Garden

The BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup might have included four of the top women's tennis players, but the Madison Square Garden crowd wanted only two to make it to the finals.

They got their wish when Serena Williams took down Ana Ivanovic, and Venus Williams beat Jelena Jankovic to set up an all-Williams final that Serena took, 6-4, 6-3.

At times you could definitely tell the match was an exhibition, even if the winner was guaranteed $400,000. Neither seemed to be pounding the ball as they might on the grass at Wimbledon, but Serena was sharper the entire night and won the Billie Jean King Cup.

"She was too good today," Venus said after the match. "She didn't miss."

Serena, who was a big player in getting women's tennis back to Madison Square Garden, was gracious in victory, saying she was just excited to have the opportunity to play under the bright lights.

"Hopefully everyone had a really good time out here," Serena said. "Venus and I are so excited to be playing in Madison Square Garden for HBO and it has been really, really exciting."

Serena wasn't the only winner on Monday night. Billie Jean King and BNP Paribas presented a check to the Dream Vaccines Foundation, which provides help for AIDS and malaria victims in Africa, for $50,000.

Billie Jean King Cup

Serena Williams is introduced for the championship match against Venus Williams at the Billie Jean King Cup tennis exhibition Monday, March 2, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Serena Williams accepts the Billie Jean King Cup from Billie Jean King after defeating sister Venus Williams in the Final during the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean Cup at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams;Billie Jean King

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Serena Williams (L) and her sister Venus clap before Serena is presented with the Billie Jean King Cup after she beat her sister in the final of the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams holds up the Billie Jean King cup after she beat her sister Venus to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams (R) holds the Billie Jean King cup presented by Billie Jean King (C) after she beat her sister Venus, holding the consolation trophy, to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams gets a kiss from Billie Jean King (R) as she is presented the Billie Jean King Cup after beating her sister Venus to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams holds up the Billie Jean King cup presented by Billie Jean King (R), after she beat her sister Venus to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams, right, pose for a photo with Billie Jean King after Serena beat her sister 6-4, 6-3 in the championship match of the Billie Jean King Cup tennis exhibition Monday, March 2, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Serena Williams holds up the championship trophy after beating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3 in the Billie Jean King Cup tennis exhibition Monday, March 2, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)