By Erik Gudris | Sunday, September 6, 2015
Venus Williams shared her thoughts on facing her sister Serena Williams in the US Open quarterfinals.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
It was impossible not to look ahead at a possible all Williams Sisters quarterfinal when the US Open women's draw was revealed. But with an easy fourth round win on Sunday, Venus Williams now finds herself in the unenviable position of facing her sister Serena Williams in one of the biggest matches of their careers.
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While many tennis fans are somewhat conflicted about the meeting, if you ask Venus Williams, she seems ready and excited for the opportunity.
"I hope we get to the quarterfinals. I do," the No. 23 seeded Williams said earlier in the week when asked about the prospect. Now she finds herself standing in the way of the World No.1's quest to complete a rare calendar Grand Slam.
Williams took care of business in quick fashion against Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit on Sunday afternoon. With potent serving and 15 winners along with only nine unforced errors, the 35-year-old Williams raced past her opponent in 50 minutes 6-2, 6-1.
Now the two-time US Open champion has to get ready for her 27th career meeting against her sister.
"We both know the draw so we are both prepared to play each other in case we both play well," Williams said about having her sister on her side of the draw. "It doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does. Then we go. We go."
When asked if she finds irony or joy and wonder at finding herself playing her sister again after all these years, Williams said, "I don't know about the joy and wonder, per se, but it's still all focus. You still have to prepare. Still have to play well. Even though you're playing your sister you have to be prepared and focus. The preparation doesn't change."
The two sisters last faced each other this year in the fourth round of Wimbledon that the World No. 1 won in straight sets. Serena Williams leads the overall series 15 to 11, though Venus Willams won their last hard court meeting in the Montreal semifinals last year.
Now there are even bigger stakes on the line than winning a US Open title. Serena Williams is just three wins away from completing the calendar Grand Slam. Yet to do so, she will have to defeat her sister and her idol.
"I don't think anyone wants to be a spoiler," Williams said about possibly ending her sister's quest. "I think people love to see history being made. I think. No one is out to be a spoiler, but at the same time, you're focused on winning your match even though the circumstances are really much different than you."
Venus Williams meanwhile enters the last eight in New York for the first time since 2010. They've played each other four times at the US Open, twice in finals, with their last meeting being in the 2008 quarterfinals.
With her own recent health issues, many thought Venus Williams might not find her way back into the conversation at the majors. Yet Williams this year reached the Australian Open quarterfinals. Now that she is into the last eight in New York, Williams was asked if she's thought about winning the title herself for a third time.
"Yeah, it feels so good," Williams said about her two title wins in New York. "But, you know, that's not the thing that you focus on. You focus on the moment of whatever round that is. Next round is the quarterfinals. That's my focus, and not really to win."