Venus, Serena Collide In Aussie Open Final

By Concise News Correspondents 

Venus and Serena Williams will face off in a Grand Slam final for the ninth time on Saturday after both sisters saw off their semi-final opponents in Melbourne.

Venus defeated fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-3 to reach her first major final since 2009.

World number two Serena dispatched unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-2 6-1 in the second semi-final.

A win for Serena would see her achieve an Open-era record of  23 Grand Slam singles titles.

Venus, on the other hand, hopes to win an eighth major title, first in Melbourne and first since Wimbledon in 2008.

“It is unbelievable to watch Serena play tennis – the way she hits the ball and the competitor she is,” Venus Williams said after the first semi-final.

“It would be a dream to see her on the opposite side of the net on Saturday.”

Speaking after her win, Serena said: “I am really proud of Venus, she is a total inspiration and a big sister. I am really happy for her and to be in the final together is a dream for us really.

“She is my toughest opponent, no-one has ever beaten me as much as Venus.

“I feel no matter what that we have both won after all we have been through. I know a Williams is going to win this tournament.”