The mother, Oracene Williams, is as bland as father Richard Williams is eccentric. But Mama Williams admitted she wouldn’t mind Venus evening the score with Serena tonight when they meet in the U.S. Open Final – the third straight all-Williams Grand Slam Final.
Serena has won the last two meetings – at the French Open and Wimbledon. A Venus victory would make it 2-2 in all-Williams Slam Final battles. “It would be nice,” Oracene said when asked if she’d like to see Venus break the losing streak. “But I’m not going to say it though because [Serena] would kill me. I guess it would be natural [to root for Venus].”
In yesterday’s semifinals, Venus shook off a painful blister on her right palm and beat rugged Amelie Mauresmo, who took her the three-set distance, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Serena Williams battled from a 5-2 second-set deficit against Lindsay Davenport. She shook off three set points before an Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd pulling for a Davenport upset just as the throng had leaned toward underdog Mauresmo.
But the Williams sisters got there together again for tonight’s prime-time Open party. It’s the second straight all-Williams Open final and their fourth meeting in the last five Slams.
“It’s something we always thought would happen since they were 11,” Oracene said. “But it’s amazing.”
Added Richard Williams, “I’m definitely the happiest man in New York tonight.”
For all their popularity, it’s bizarre the Open crowds seem to root against them playing each other in the Final. Oracene isn’t surprised.
“Hopefully they pay more attention, last time they tried to make it go away,” she said. “They weren’t getting their props from media and fans. [The media/fans] try to ignore it and not appreciate it, take it for granted.”
Oracene said it’s unlikely the sisters will hit with each other this morning as they normally would if playing another opponent.
Serena ran off five straight games to close the Davenport match and set up the sister showdown. She ripped a forehand winner smack on the baseline at match point for the 6-3, 7-5 semifinal win. Davenport made her sweat in her black lycra catsuit but now Serena’s in the catbird seat, looking for a third straight Slam title.
“I think we’re capable of having that rivalry,” Serena said of playing her sister. “We’re building towards it. This is for all the marbles. It’s definitely something we’re just really fighting for.”
Serena is the favorite, with Venus nursing a bad hand. But Venus is the two-time Open defending champion, having beaten her last time here. Serena credited last year’s loss to “overconfidence.”
“All in all, I’m really just here to try and take the title,” Venus said. Asked if that meant she’d hoped for the easier opponent in Davenport, Venus said, “I’d rather face Serena because I want her to do her personal best.”
Venus said any difficult emotions facing Serena are over. “Where’s the problem?” Venus asked. “There’s no problem.”
After taking the first set and leading a break in the second, Venus fell apart and needed to get her blistered palm treated by a trainer and wrapped, which she said eased the discomfort.
“It was hard to hold the racket at times,” Venus said.
Serving for the match at 5-4 in the third, Venus dug herself a love-40 hole. Then she showed her greatness. She won five straight points, each serve 114 mph or higher, to finish off Mauresmo. Serena, too, finished off by winning 10 of the last 11 points.
“I think at this point Venus and I are very even,” Serena said.
