Sport
London 2012: Venus and Serena Williams advance
Serena Williams and Venus Williams during their Women’s Doubles Tennis match against Sorana Cirstea and Simona Halep of Romania. PHOTO/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
A schedule backlog transformed the Olympics at Wimbledon into a parade of Grand Slam champions Monday, with the Williams sisters and Roger Federer all playing at the same time.
And all won.
“What a good day for fans between me, Venus, Roger and all the other players,” Serena Williams said. “It’s really such a great experience.”
Venus Williams waited an extra day because of rain to begin her bid for a record fourth gold medal in Olympic tennis, then defeated recent French Open runner-up Sara Errani of Italy, 6-3, 6-1.
Serena Williams completed a July sweep of Poland’s Radwanska sisters by beating Urszula in the second round, 6-2, 6-3. Federer also reached the third round, beating Julien Benneteau of France, 6-2, 6-2.
After winning in singles, the Williams sisters began a bid for their third Olympic doubles gold medal by eliminating Sorana Cirstea and Simona Halep of Romania 6-3, 6-2. They won in 2000 and 2008.
“Another gold medal would be amazing,” Venus Williams said. “I can’t even imagine the feeling. I think my head would be too big, and no one would even like me anymore.”
