There’s Venus and Serena Williams. And then there is everyone else.

That’s the current theory, especially after the sisters’ victories yesterday ensured their third straight Grand Slam Final against each other. But while nearly everybody believes that the gap between the Williams and everyone else is larger than ever, one man actually believes the reverse.

And you’ll never guess who it is.

“I really think [the gap] is closing,” Richard Williams told The Post after his daughters’ semifinal victories. “I think women’s tennis is very good. Lindsay [Davenport] played well and could have gone to the third set.

“And that young lady had Venus pinned on her heels. What’s her name? Mauresmo? She played very well, very competitive. She played with not one ounce of fear.”

Indeed, both Amelie Mauresmo – we’re here to help – and Davenport seemed unfazed by their opponents’ magnitude, attacking the sisters aggressively and even conjuring thoughts of an upset.

But are simply “playing without fear” and “almost going to a third set” enough to qualify as progress toward an equal playing field? Maybe. After all, you constantly hear about how Tiger Woods psyches out opponents before they even pull their clubs out of the bag. At least it’s a start.

Meanwhile, Richard has never been there to witness his daughters facing each other for a championship. That will change tonight. “I’ll be acting crazy,” he said. “I’m going to have a lot of fun.”

Last year he watched the Open Final from his hotel room and this year he didn’t venture to the French Open or Wimbledon.

Papa Williams spent most of yesterday scurrying around Arthur Ashe Stadium taking photos of his daughters. Saddled with four cameras around his shoulders, he estimated that he took 145 pictures. Tonight, you can figure on 200.

As for what you can expect from the two prodigies, Richard wouldn’t issue a prediction. Not one that didn’t involve food, anyway.

“[My] only prediction is that I’m going to eat three hot dogs,” he said, grinning the grin of a proud parent. “If Venus goes out and plays her best, no one can compete with her. If Serena goes out and plays her best, no one can compete with her.”

What if they both play their best? Williams took a puff of his victory cigarette and pondered the answer. “You’re going to see some great tennis.”