New York – When you hear about Serena and Venus Williams overpowering opponents, which happened Sunday at the U.S. Open to two recent Grand Slam finalists, it’s easy to forget the sisters are individuals.
And as similar as their on- court styles might seem, all stinging serves and gargantuan ground strokes, they are not quite carbon copies.
That point was driven home by their father and coach, Richard, who sat courtside for the final game of Serena’s 6-3, 6-4 victory over Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli, then watched Venus’ 6-4, 6-2 win against French Open runner-up Ana Ivanovic.
“Serena reminds me of a pit bull dog and a young Mike Tyson, all in one,” Dad said Sunday.
“Venus reminds me of a gazelle that’s able to move, prance and jump. Venus looks as if she is really enjoying herself out there more than Serena is right now. If they get by everyone and meet each other, it will be an interesting match.”
Another all-Williams showdown is nearing at Flushing Meadows, although unlike six previous meetings for major titles – Serena leads 5-1 in those finals, Venus leads 7-6 overall – this one would be a semifinal.
“That would be awesome because it would mean that there is a Williams in the final,” Venus said. She also noted: “We have one more step.”
For Serena, it’s a familiar one. She will face No. 1 Justine Henin in the quarterfinals at a third consecutive major, having lost at the French Open and Wimbledon.
“Yeah, we know each other pretty well,” Henin said after beating No. 15 Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-2 at night. “I know everyone was waiting for that match, and here we are.”
The older Williams’ quarter- final opponent will be No. 3 Jelena Jankovic, who defeated No. 19 Sybille Bammer 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Jankovic won her past three matches against Venus, including at Wimbledon in 2006 and the French Open this year.
The day’s biggest surprise came in the final match, when 88th-ranked Ernests Gulbis of Latvia easily ousted No. 8 seed Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. Gulbis, who turned 19 on Thursday and is the lowest-ranked man left in the draw, came to New York having lost in the first round at 10 of his 11 tournaments in 2007.
No. 2 Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, advanced to the fourth round without a hitch in his step – his taped-up knees have been bothering him – or his game, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-1.
Next up for Nadal is a fellow Spaniard, No. 15 David Ferrer, who was one point from defeat before coming back to eliminate 2002 Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 in a match that included a 24-point game.
Winners also included No. 3 Novak Djokovic and No. 17 Carlos Moya.
