Serena beat Venus to win Wimbledon women's title

RICHARD Williams once called his talented daughters ‘ghetto Cinderellas' - and tomorrow it will be Serena who is going to the winners' ball at Wimbledon.

VICTORY: Serena Williams beats sister Venus in straight sets to win a third Wimbledon tennis title

Matches between sport's most famous sister act are rarely classic encounters and this clash will not be filed under vintage in the All England Club’s video vault.

Five former champions - Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Maria Bueno, Ann Jones and Virginia Wade – watched from the Royal Box but atmosphere was muted in a match that rarely threatened to come alive and deliver on its promise.

But there is no arguing Serena  - who was a match point down in her semi-final against Elena Dementieva - wasn't value for her 7-6, 6-2 win, her third Wimbledon singles title and her 11th Grand Slam crown.

It was a victory that confirmed her as the unofficial world number one – and she now holds every major title with the exception of the French Open.

This was the 20th all-Williams encounter and Serena's victory also means she edges ahead in the previously deadlocked head-to-head.

Venus, who was looking for a third consecutive Wimbledon title, has now lost three finals to her younger sister on Centre Court.

“It feels so amazing to win the trophy again, I’m so blessed,” said Serena, who last won the All England Club title in 2003.

“I can’t believe I’m holding this trophy and Venus isn’t.

“I still think she is the greatest on this surface that is why she has won five titles. I just got the breaks and I took my chances.

“It’s been a long time since I last won here and I’d almost forgotten how good it feels.

“Wimbledon is such a special tournament for us and to see all the Williams names up on the honours’ board is incredible.”

POWERFUL: A pumped up Serena Williams served 12 aces on her way to victory - and no double faults (Getty Images)

The foundation to their respective marches through the tournament has been their powerful service games, so it was little surprise that the first set was decided by an inevitable tie-break.

But when it mattered Serena seemed to add extra juice to her powerful strokes, taking an early mini-break and serving out the opener with ease.

It was the first set Venus - whose progress to the final had been arguably more impressive - had dropped at the All England Club since the second round in 2007, a run stretching 34 sets.

And it seemed to damage her confidence as she became suddenly edgy and tentative.

Amazingly, not since the Wimbledon final of 2006 has a women’s Grand Slam decider gone to a third set.

And as Venus slowly crumbled, the chances of that trend being reversed rapidly receded.

Shots that skimmed the line in previous rounds started to sail wide and she missed a succession of first serves as one of her game's trademarks became suddenly vulnerable.

Serena continued to hold her fizzing serve with ease – recording 12 aces and no double faults, compared to Venus’s two aces and three faults.

And it was only a matter of time before she took advantage of her sister’s sudden shakiness and when a chance to break came in the sixth game, she quickly took it.

Venus, sensing defeat, continued to make a catalogue of unforced errors and Serena broke again at the next opportunity, converting the fourth of her championship points to secure the match in one hour and 26 minutes.

“She was too good and had an answer for everything I tried to do. She just played the best tennis and congratulations to her,” said Venus.

“We always play tough and the hardest games we have are against each other.

“I thought we were pretty even in the match, she just came up with some winners that I couldn’t return, especially in the tie-break.”

The defending and now former champion again wore the heavy strapping on her left leg but she insisted the injury she was carrying had no impact on the result, despite claims to the contrary by father Richard.

And she vowed to return again next year – to continue the decade long Williams domination on SW19’s manicured lawns.

“I’ve no complaints and no excuses,” she added.

"I've had so many great times here and of course I'm looking forward to next year and hopefully I will bring my best tennis back.

“I love what I do and most of all I love playing these finals."

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