STANFORD (USA): Serena Williams has spent most of her career matching – and often breaking – older sister Venus’ records. After tying Venus for the most WTA Tour titles among active players, there’s little left for her to equal.
Except Olympic gold.
Williams overcame a shaky start and two service breaks to beat lucky loser Coco Vandeweghe 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday for her second straight Bank of the West Classic title in a final tuneup before the London Olympics.
Serena and Venus won gold in doubles in 2000 and 2008 and will go for a third again this year when play begins July 28 on Wimbledon’s grass. While Venus took home gold in singles in 2000, Serena has never earned a medal on her own.
”It would mean a lot to me, but I can’t lay all my hopes and dreams on just that,” she said. ”But it would mean a lot. I would like to try to get one.”
Sustaining the moment has been a big reason behind Williams’ busy schedule.
Eight days after winning Wimbledon, Williams saved a set point and won the final four games of the opening set. It was the 43rd WTA Tour championship of Williams’ career, tying older sister Venus for the most among active players.
Williams even summoned her father, Richard, all the way from Europe for her final two matches to soak in the moment.
”I haven’t won a tournament without him or my mom here,” she said. ”I just felt like I didn’t want to go out (without him). Plus, he’s going to be at home watching everything here anyway.”
The world number four has now won 28 out of her last 29 matches and seems in fine fettle for a serious challenge at the London Games.
Isner wins at Newport
John Isner fired 16 aces in a 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory over Australian Lleyton Hewitt on Sunday to win the ATP Hall of Fame Championships title in Newport, USA, for the second-straight year.
And in Croatia, Marin Cilic became the first player from the country in 22 years to win the Croatia Open by beating Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-4, 6-2 in Sunday’s final. Cilic trailed 4-2 in the first set before winning nine games in a row to seize a commanding 5-0 lead in the second.
World number eight Janko Tipsarevic won his third career title by beating Argentine second seed Juan Monaco 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Tipsarevic also won a top of the range Mercedes-Benz, which he said will go to his wife as a birthday-cum-anniversary present. (Agencies)