Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams - the statistics that matter

Harry West

Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams - the statistics that matter image

Saturday will see Serena and Venus Williams restore their grand-slam rivalry, as the sisters go head to head in the Australian Open final.

MORE: Serena expects battle with 'toughest opponent' Venus

After the pair dominated the women's game throughout the early 2000s, many thought Venus approaching the twilight of her career would mean another all-Williams showdown on the grandest stage would never come to pass.

But the 36-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence at Melbourne Park, booking her place in a first grand-slam showpiece since Wimbledon 2009.

For Serena, a year younger, the clash with Venus represents another chance to overhaul Steffi Graf's record tally of 22 grand-slam titles, after last year's US Open campaign was ended at the semi-final stage.

With the help of Opta data, we look at some of the history behind this great sibling rivalry. Will Serena's recent dominance continue as she bids to create a slice of tennis history?

 

- The first time the two met on the WTA Tour was at the Australian Open in 1998, Venus won that second-round match.

- Serena holds the head-to-head advantage over Venus, winning 16 of 28 previous meetings (L11, with one walkover win for Serena).

- Serena and Venus' only previous Australian Open final meeting came in 2003. Serena won 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4.

- This will be the ninth time Venus and Serena have met in a grand-slam final and the first time since Wimbledon 2009.

- Serena has won six of their previous eight matches in major finals, with Venus' two victories coming at the 2001 US Open and Wimbledon in 2008.

- Serena has prevailed in seven of the last eight meetings with her sister. These include the 2009 Wimbledon final, the fourth round at the All England Club in 2015, and the US Open quarter-final later that same year.

Harry West