Serena Williams’ first official tournament since becoming a mom in September was cut short by older sister Venus in Indian Wells.

Asked if playing Monday brought closure to what happened in 2001, seven-time grand slam champion Venus replied: “It never crossed my mind.”

More matches

But Venus, 37, did have a think of what made the difference between the sisters on court in the third round, their earliest tournament battle since meeting in the second round at the 1998 Australian Open because Serena is now unranked.

“I have had a few more matches,” Venus told reporters. “Even though I haven’t even played that much this year, the matches in the last year count.”

Once Venus saved break points in her first two service games, she got into a groove on serve and broke for 4-2.

The momentum stayed with Venus and she raced out to a 5-2 lead in the second but struggled to close things out.

She saved a break point at 5-4 though with a potent serve into the body while another big serve clinched victory on a second match point. Serena is famed for some of her comebacks but Venus indeed held firm.

The sisters — as ever — exchanged a hug at the net.

Serena won only half of her service points overall — it is much, much higher when her serve and game are working, even against Venus — and committed 31 unforced errors to go along with 22 winners. She lamented missing shots she said she would make 10 times out of 10 in practice.

Venus meanwhile was the more solid, striking 19 winners and 21 unforced errors in the tricky conditions of Indian Wells, where the balls zip through the air but then are tempered by a slow hard court.

“It’s definitely not less disappointing,” Serena said as she reflected on the defeat. “I wish it were, but it’s not. But then again, I wish it wasn’t. Then I wouldn’t be who I am. Yeah, so I just have a long way to go, and I’m looking forward to the journey.”

Miami next for Serena

“l’ll get ready for (my next tournament),” added Florida resident Serena, who will compete at one of her favorite events, the Miami Open, later this month. “I have a lot to improve on. It’s good that I don’t have to say that this is the best tennis I have ever played and I lost. My room for improvement is incredible.

“So I have just got to keep saying each tournament my goal is just to be better than the last, and I don’t — definitely don’t want to go backwards. I just want to continue to go forwards. I think as long as I can do that, I will keep getting better.”

Venus still has to go forward in in Indian Wells, whereas many of their previous tussles have taken place in finals and thus would have seen the victor hoist the trophy. Such was the case when they last squared off at the 2017 Australian

Open, with Serena prevailing in the early stages of pregnancy.

“Honestly have to get focused for the next match,” said Venus, who plays 21st seed Anastasija Sevastova on Tuesday.

“I’m playing a completely different player, new challenges. I really already was resetting, because the tournament is far from over.”

It is for Serena but she is sure to find herself in familiar surroundings — the latter stages of tournaments — soon enough.

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Source: CNN

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A spokesman for Palm Beach Gardens police in Florida confirmed to the BBC they were investigating a fatal crash involving the Grand Slam champion.

A man was taken to hospital after the accident on 9 June and died two weeks later from his injuries, he said.

According to TMZ, which broke the story, police believe she was at fault but her lawyer says it was an accident.

The man who died, Jerome Barson, was travelling with his wife who was driving their vehicle through an intersection when the collision happened.

Ms Williams’ car suddenly darted into their path and was unable to clear the junction in time due to traffic jams, according to witness statements in a police report obtained by US media.

Mrs Barson was also taken to hospital but survived.

“[Ms Williams] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver],” the report said, adding that there were no other factors like drugs, alcohol or mobile phone distractions.

The 37-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam champion reportedly told police she did not see the couple’s car and she was driving slowly.

Ms Williams’ lawyer Malcolm Cunningham told CNN in a statement: “Ms Williams entered the intersection on a green light. The police report estimates that Ms Williams was travelling at 5mph when Mrs Barson crashed into her.

“Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations. This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.”

Next week, Ms Williams is due to play her 20th Wimbledon tournament in London, where she is seeded 10th.

Ms Williams and her sister Serena have dominated the women’s game for two decades.

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Source: BBC

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Serena, 35, won 6-4 6-4 to pass Steffi Graf in the all-time list of major winners since the Grand Slams accepted professional players in 1968.

The American regains the number one ranking from German Angelique Kerber.

Australia’s Margaret Court is the only player still ahead of Serena in terms of Grand Slam singles titles on 24.

Favourite Serena too strong for Venus

Serena Williams went into the match as a strong favourite, but the tension was apparent as early as the third game when she smashed a racquet in frustration, picking up a code violation.

She had broken serve in the first and third games only to hand the advantage straight back each time, three double faults inexplicably littering a desperate game for 2-2.

It was clear that the six-time champion was struggling to settle, with 13 unforced errors in the opening five games, while elder sister Venus kept her under pressure with some deep hitting.

The decisive move of the set came with a superb drop volley followed by a thumping forehand winner from Serena to break for 4-3, and this time she managed to consolidate on serve.

In contrast to the opening stages, the following nine games went with serve – Venus recovering superbly from 0-40 early in the second set – but it was Serena who was creating the chances.

She finally capitalised on her sixth break point of the set with a brilliant return winner to lead 4-3 and followed it up with her best service game of the match for 5-3.

The crowd on Rod Laver Arena had been backing Venus from the beginning as she tried to win a first major title for eight years, and all the more so as defeat loomed and she appeared to struggle physically.

There was a huge cheer when she held serve to force her sister to serve out the match, but Serena recovered from 15-30 to earn match point and fell back on the court in celebration as her sister sent the ball floating wide.

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Source: BBC

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