BEIJING, July 6 -- Venus Williams beat sister Serena 7-5, 6-4 yesterday to win her fifth Wimbledon title and seventh grand slam championship.

    It was Venus' first win over her younger sibling in a grand slam final since the 2001 U.S. Open, and tied their career head-to-head record at 8-8.

Venus Williams of the U.S. (L) holds her winners trophy as she stands with her sister Serena, holding her runners-up trophy, after their finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Venus came from 1-3 down in the first set to turn around the match, breaking Serena four times while dropping her own serve twice in a high-quality contest in windy conditions in London.

    Venus broke to finish the match, with Serena hitting a backhand wide on the second match point. The sisters embraced at the net, and Venus kept her celebrations in check as she twirled and waved to the Centre Court crowd.

    Venus accepted the winner's trophy ?? a sterling silver salver aptly named the Venus Rosewater dish ?? from the Duke of Kent.

    "I have to first of all say great match to Serena," Venus said. "I can't believe that it's five but when you're in the final against Serena Williams, five seems too far away from that first point. She played so awesome, it was really a task to beat her."

    "It's so rewarding to perform here," Venus added. "Every time I come back I know I have the chance to play well and make history. My first job is big sister and I take that very seriously."

    Watching the match from the players' box was the sisters' mother, Oracene. Their father, Richard, had flown back to the United States because he can't stand to watch his daughters play against each other.

    Referring to the mixed feelings of her family about who to support, Venus said, "It's hard for all of them, but I like to think they want me to win."

    The 26-year-old Serena accepted her runner-up trophy and paid tribute to her 28-year-old sister.

    "I'm so happy that at least one of us was able to win," Serena said. "She's played great this year. We're just glad to be in the finals again."

Venus Williams of the U.S. holds her trophy after defeating her sister Serena in their finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The grasscourts at the All England Club always seem to bring out the best in both. Remember, at the previous grand slam tournament, the claycourt French Open, Serena and Venus lost in the third round.

    "Venus was like, 'I've got to get to work.' And Serena said pretty much the same thing," their elder sister Isha Price recalled. "So they just went home and really got on the grind and started practicing. They wanted to be better because they wanted to do well here."

    They usually do.

    Since 2000, 11 of the 18 Wimbledon finalist slots have been filled by one Williams or the other. Yesterday's final was the eighth in the past nine years at Wimbledon with at least one Williams, and neither lost a set this year.

    They now own a combined 15 grand slam singles titles - Serena leads with eight - and also have earned six grand slam doubles titles together. They have a chance to add to the latter when they face Lisa Raymond of the US and Samantha Stosur of Australia.

    "It's good practice for our singles," Serena said on Friday. "We're just enjoying every moment."

    The sisters advanced to the doubles final by beating Nathalie Dechy of France and Casey Dellacqua of Australia 6-3, 6-3.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily/ Agencies)

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