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Victorious Venus challenges Serena
Venus Williams dared her sister and world No. 1 Serena to a tennis duel for the coveted diamond encrusted trophy racket at the Diamond games next year.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 08:48 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Antwerp: Venus Williams dared her sister and world No. 1 Serena to a tennis duel for the coveted diamond encrusted trophy racket at the Diamond games next year. The challenge came after Williams overwhelmed Belgian star Kim Clijsters 6-2, 6-4 with ease and grace on Sunday, coming a step closer to owning the US$1.07 million 1,700 gem-studded trophy racket for good. "If you want to challenge me here, Serena, if you are watching, come on,'' Venus said after winning her second consecutive Antwerp title. "She loves gold and fine jewels. If she comes, she comes ... But I put myself in a good position to get the racket". If Williams wins the Antwerp event in any of the next three years, she can claim the diamond racket as her own. The trophy goes to the first triple champion in any five-year span. "I have a great chance to do that now," said Williams, who vowed to come back next year. "I have no choice". But beating her younger sister will be a tough task. Venus lost to Serena in each of the last four Grand Slam finals, including the Australian Open final last month, and still remains No. 2 in the world behind her sister. In her final against the Belgian, who is ranked No. 3 in the world, Venus' overpowering serve and flawless backcourt game made the difference. The American slammed serves peaking at 188 kph compared to too many serves of the Belgian which failed to reach 150 kph. Williams' sparkling victory capped a great week of tennis in Antwerp, not losing a set in the US$585,000 tournament where four of the world's top five players reached the semifinal. (AP)
Topics mentioned in this article
Tennis
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