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Williamses team up to end Hispanic challenge

Nick Harris
Monday 08 July 2002 00:00 BST
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Grand slam titles are so common these days in the Williams sisters household that their mother, Oracene preferred to do a little shopping yesterday afternoon rather than watch as Serena lifted her second title of the weekend and Venus her first when they won the women's doubles together.

The world No 1 and No 2 in singles were never troubled as they overcame Argentina's Paola Suarez and Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual, 6-2, 7-5.

This tournament was the first time that the sisters had played doubles since last year's US Open. They had previously won major titles together at the 2001 Australian Open, at Wimbledon in 2000, at the Olympics in Sydney and at Roland Garros and the US Open in 1999.

Following Serena's win on Saturday and the pair's triumph yesterday, they were asked again whether their dominance was good for their sport and how they will continue to stay ahead of the pack.

"We've had a great six weeks, at the French Open and now at Wimbledon," said Venus. "We need to keep that high level going by basically concentrating on ourselves." Asked how she would celebrate their win together yesterday, Venus added: "I don't know. Eat candy. Get off the practice court. Relax, relax, relax."

The pair looked relaxed enough yesterday, smiling and chatting as usual between games, Serena only occasionally giving a look of concern as Venus served. The older sister has been troubled with a shoulder problem over the weekend, something Serena addressed after her win on Saturday.

"I knew her shoulder was hurting before [the singles final]," Serena said. I said 'Are you OK?' And she said, 'It's OK, don't worry about me'. And you really have to respect her as a person and as a player and as a sister, because not everyone would do that. She never lets anything bother her like that. That is why she is where she is. Venus is a real champion."

And an actual champion again this morning. Venus and Serena took hold of the first set with breaks in the sixth and eight games, having earlier been broken in the third. The second set was less of a formality but with the power of the Williams serve, and Venus's increasing ability at the net, the result was inevitable.

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