Sport
Serena Williams beats Venus Williams in South Africa
Serena was serious in the first set but lightened up in the second as the duo produced a flurry of powerful serves, extended rallies and sizzling winners, which thumped into the advertising boards behind the baseline.
“Did you see the point where I had to hit five volleys and still got passed?” Venus said.
Venus gave a little fist pump and a smile after an ace in the fourth game, then an extravagant bow at the crowd’s applause for her big backhand winner in the next.
After a standout year in which she won seven titles and went 31-1, Serena cracked a smile when Venus sent what should have been an easy winner into the net late in the first set.
With her big serve working well, Serena laughed in the second set when she slipped and fell on the court — only for Venus to miss another simple winner.
Serena broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set and again after a hectic rally to lead 5-4 in the second. Afterward, the sisters disappeared among a throng of fans to sign autographs on the edge of the court.
South Africa Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula requested the popular sisters return for another visit.
“This won’t be their last visit to South Africa,” Mbalula said. “If they don’t want to come back, we’ll chase them on Twitter and find them.”
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
