Serena Williams won the 2009 Wimbledon women's singles final Saturday, beating older sister Venus Williams 7-6, 6-2.
"She was too good," Venus said afterward. "She had an answer for everything and she played the best tennis today. So, congratulations."
It was Serena's third Wimbledon title -- beating her sister in the final all three times -- and 11th Grand Slam title. It was also the eighth time in the last 10 years that a Williams sister has won Wimbledon and the eighth Williams vs. Williams Grand Slam final.
In the first set, the sisters alternated winning service games, and Serena taking the tiebreak to win the set. They alternated winning their service games at the start of the second set as well, but when Serena finally got a break point in the sixth game of the second set, Venus double faulted and Serena led the set, 4-2.
From there it was clear that Serena was going to win the match. Serena held serve to go up 5-2, and won a lengthy, hard-fought final game to take the championship.
"It feels so amazing," Serena said of beating the big sister who had won the last two Wimbledon singles finals. "It hasn't settled in that I won yet."
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Serena Williams Snapshots
Venus Williams of U.S. plays a return to Serena Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
Serena Williams of U.S. plays a return to Venus Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
Serena Williams of U.S. reacts while playing sister Venus Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Serena Williams of U.S. plays a return to Venus Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
Venus Williams of U.S. plays a return to Serena Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
Serena Williams of U.S. plays a return to Venus Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
Venus Williams of U.S. plays a return to Serena Williams of U.S. during their women's singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AP
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Venus Williams of USA plays a forehand during the women's singles final match against Serena Williams of USA on Day Twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Carl De Souza/Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Williams
Getty Images
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Venus Williams of USA plays a backhand during the women's singles final match against Serena Williams of USA on Day Twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Carl De Souza/Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Williams
Getty Images
US Serena Williams returns a ball to US Venus Williams during their final match on Day 12 at the 2009 Wimbledon tennis championships at the All England Club on July 4, 2009. The event, the third Grand Slam tournament of 2009, runs from June 22 to July 5, 2009. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
7-04-2009 @ 11:16AM
PRESTON said...
I have been a ardent Venus WQilliams fan for years. After today's disgraceful performance I have to step away from rooting for her. Venus played terrible. It seems that she neds to get some psychiatric counseling regarding playing her sibling. If Venus would have played like she did against Safina she would have won the championship match. It was plain to see that Venus was not playing her best to win. It's a shame. She should feel totally demoralized after playing that awful sloppy match. Disgraceful for a reigning Wimbledon champion. Enough is enough, she's lost this fan.
Reply
7-04-2009 @ 1:08PM
Sieben said...
SAD for you and your flip flop attitude, Serena & Venus CONGRATULATIONS you have again made many of us loyal fans PROUD. I will ALWAYS be on your side , WIN LOSE OR DRAW I know that america is looking at you through proud eyes,having shown the world that they have GREAT CHAMPIONS that represent their country with dignity , pride & CLASS
7-04-2009 @ 2:26PM
smartalan said...
Were you actually watching the whole match? During the first set, it was Serena who looked for a while like no matter what she did nothing worked. They were both gambling a lot which is what serena did against dementiava. The tide turned when it bacame 6 to 6. Venus threw the kitchen sink at her from that game through the tie breaker and serena had an answer for every shot. Venus seemed to lose steam after the tie breaker as I think she was a bit disheartened. Probably against someone else she might have turned it up, but sometimes when you are so familiar with someone you feel as though they have all the cards today. Still though, I think venus could have beaten anyone except a serena that came up with some amazingly placed shots.
7-04-2009 @ 2:42PM
Bruce said...
Let's wait just a little bit before crowning Roger Federer the "best singles tennis player of all time". Serena is right on his shoulder with 11 wins already, and she's not talking about quitting (a la Federer). Also, toss in the doubles championships Serena has won with Venus, and who has the better ALL AROUND tennis game?
7-04-2009 @ 9:43PM
Darek said...
Its ok. You are not a very big fan to just hop off the bandwagon. She played and crushed Safina because she is overrated. Head to Head in major tournaments with Serena, Venus is 2-6!
Venus won last year, but she usually doesn't! Most people say Serena is the better of the two. 11 majors to 7 proves that. Serena usually prevails when they play for championships. This was not that shocking!
7-05-2009 @ 3:22PM
cddrthom said...
Fool, Venus does not need a fan like you, I'm sure she'll be as happy as I am for her losing you.
7-06-2009 @ 6:54PM
artofdd said...
Obviously, You were really NEVER a fan of Venus Williams if you're going to step AWAY (as you put it) from her, just because she didnt play her best match Saturday.Its possible you need psychiatric help if you can't clearly see that Serena had a more dominate game than venus. And Did you ever think that about venus vs. Safina also. It just wasn't their day,and match. Grow up
7-04-2009 @ 11:29AM
earth mama said...
when you're ON, you're ON... Go Serena! Congratulations on 11 grand slams...
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7-04-2009 @ 11:51AM
bailoutsos said...
Serena is just the stronger of the two.
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7-04-2009 @ 11:53AM
bailoutsos said...
I was hoping the final would be a gal from GA playing a gal from FL. That would have been a fun one for both states.
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7-04-2009 @ 12:38PM
sef69 said...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ REALLY BORING THESE TWO....
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7-04-2009 @ 12:48PM
rlongpre said...
If women want equal money as the men get. They should all play best 3 of 5 insteasd of 2 of 3. We saw it today with a 2 to 0 win in 1 hr. & 30 minutes. They do not have the right same money as men do, since they do not have to work for it. The ladies final today was a joke. Rene Longpre - Canada
Reply
7-05-2009 @ 6:53PM
restlsdave said...
I agree that the women should have to play the best of 5 to get the same money as the men.
7-04-2009 @ 1:34PM
wayne said...
The willaim sisters are the best.All of the other women players are third rate want to be diva,s
Reply
7-04-2009 @ 5:01PM
aldrin said...
for those who buy the ticket for the match, or even watch the game on TV, you are all insane. it's a waste of time. how can this be a good game if the players are sisters??? c'mon... this is just a show. all they want is your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
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7-04-2009 @ 5:05PM
allpromaterials said...
Their raciest daddy probably set the whole thing up . They are good but I can't pull for them because of him. He is a loser.
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7-04-2009 @ 9:40PM
joalnz said...
Loser? Say what you want but Richard Williams is the BEST TENNIS COACH IN HISTORY!! 2 daughters and a book and a rundown court in Cpmpton. The man is a genius.
7-06-2009 @ 10:23AM
Sieben said...
Hate will get you nowhere ,Richard isn't a racist, just a REALIST in a racist world
7-06-2009 @ 8:47PM
Dr. Martin said...
Racism is what the us and whites created . Take your head out of your a.. richard cannot be a racist fool
7-13-2009 @ 11:25AM
Sieben said...
Richard a loser ???????????????? You must be viewing a total different picture thm the rest of us. What his daughters have accomplished speaks for its self