Venus and Serena reach the US Open Final

By Etienne Stekelenburg
September 7 2002

Venus Williams needed three sets to knock out Amelie Mauresmo winning the semi-final. Venus Williams obviously didn’t play her best match. Serena Williams had less problems earning herself a spot in the final, she ousted Lindsay Davenport in two sets.

Venus Williams needed three sets to knock out Amelie Mauresmo on Friday winning the semi-final 6-3 5-7 6-4. Venus Williams, who was hampered when the match was midway with a blister on her right hand, obviously didn’t play her best match. Serena Williams had less problems earning herself a spot in the final, she ousted Lindsay Davenport in two sets 6-3 7-5.

The sisters will meet each other in their fourth Grand Slam final. Venus won the last U.S. Open beating Serena in the 2001 final. Serena took her victories at the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Father Richard and mother Oracene were happily watching how their offspring eclipse the WTA Tour. "They are dominating a lot more than I thought possible. They are beginning to step it up a lot," said Richard Williams while snapping away with his cameras.

In less then 25 minutes Serena won the first set against Lindsay Davenport 6-3. The second set would turn out to be a bit tougher when Serena Williams was missing her shots and brought Lindsay Davenport back to life. Davenport won three games in a row after she had her confidence back serving three aces and four successful net approaches. Serving for the second set to stay in the match Davenport lost it after a wide forehand shot. The magic never returned and Serena could tie the set 5-5 coming from 5-2 down. Once convinced with her game Serena never failed and won 5 consecutive games to make it 5-7 and winning the match with fierce ground strokes and deep forehand shots.

Venus deservedly won herself a spot in her third consecutive final beating Amelie Mauresmo from France. She had to put in more effort than many had anticipated, Venus Williams won all four previous career meetings. Amelie Mauresmo was in the attacking mode from right from the beginning something Venus Williams might not have expected. She had to fight off a break point in her opening service game, which she did successfully. But it was quite clear that this was not going to be a walkover. Still looking for an opening to break Venus Williams serve there came a chance in the seventh game for the French player, but Williams did not yet allow that to happen. Big serves and driving volleys saved both breakpoints. The first set was over in 34 minutes leaving a score of 6-3 on the scoreboard.

In the second Mauresmo’s topspin groundstrokes could not trouble Venus Williams who took a 3-2 lead after breaking serve. After that it was Amelie Mauresmo’s turn to hit back and make the look on the faces in the Williams players box a little less happy. A different Mauresmo had risen and she was really pushing her game what lead to a rebreak and a 4-3 lead for the Frenchwoman. At 6-5 Venus Williams was asking for an injury treatment due to a blister on her right hand. After the medical staff had taped Williams hand Maurismo took the change to win the second set. A long forehand on set point equalled the score 1-1 in sets. "In the middle of that second set, I really found my rhythm and really got into the match," Mauresmo later said.

It only took a few minutes for Venus Williams to take a lead in the deciding third set. Mauresmo’s serve was brutally attacked and Williams held her own for 2-0. Mauresmo won the next two games but unfortunately a double fault was causing her to lose the fifth game. Venus Williams had no problem winning her next serve for a 4-2 lead in the third set. Both players held their serve and Venus finished the match 6-4 in the third set.

Amelie Mauresmo showed how tight the match was by holding two fingers close together at the post match interview: "It's just this much and next time I'm sure it's going to go my way. It felt great, actually, to play an American and feel the crowd behind you.”