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Williams’ sibling Slam

Sisters Serena and Venus to contest Major final for the ninth time

Unstoppable Serena Williams zeroed in on a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title yesterday by setting up an Australian Open final against her older sister Venus, as the siblings' dream came true.

The ruthless world No. 2 proved one step too far for unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, whose fairy-tale tournament was finally ended in a crushing 6-2, 6-1 defeat in just 50 minutes.

In swatting aside the 34-year-old in their first meeting since 1998, Serena, 35, stayed on track for a seventh Australian title which would take her past Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22 Major wins.

HISTORY BECKONS

She has refused to talk about the possibility of finally surpassing the German, but now has a golden chance of further cementing her place in history.

Winning the title would also mean a return to world No. 1, snatching the title back after Angelique Kerber deposed her last year.

Only Venus stands in the way after the elder Williams rolled back the years to beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3 in the other semi-final.

It opened another chapter in their eventful family history as they meet for the ninth time in a Grand Slam final tomorrow, eight years after the last at Wimbledon in 2009.

Serena won that one and holds a 6-2 advantage.

I couldn’t be happier for us both to be in the final. It’s the biggest dream come true for us Serena Williams on meeting her big sister Venus in the Australian open final

"I didn't watch (Venus). Obviously I was really proud, she's an inspiration, my big sister," said Serena.

"She's my world, my life, she means everything to me. I couldn't be happier for us both to be in the final.

"It's the biggest dream come true for us."

Williams added that seeing Venus reach the final had put her under extra pressure - not that it showed.

"It felt really good because I felt like it was in my hands to force this Williams final," she said.

"Believe it or not, I was feeling a little bit of pressure about that, but it felt really good to get that win."

She also paid tribute to Lucic-Baroni, a former teenage prodigy when the Williams sisters were emerging in the 1990s, before her career was derailed by personal problems.

"Mirjana is an inspiration, she deserves all the credit today. To get this far, after everything she has gone through, that just inspires me."

It was one-way traffic from start to finish, as Serena asserted her authority to move into her 29th Grand Slam final.

Her sister was equally impressive against the dangerous Vendeweghe.

She was calm and focused, drawing on her vast experience to tame her supremely confident opponent, picking her shots well and conserving energy to bounce back after losing a first-set tie-breaker.

OLDEST FINALIST

In making the decider, she becomes the Australian Open's oldest finalist in the Open era.

It is also her first final at a Major since Wimbledon in 2009 - which was her 14th, winning seven and losing seven so far.

"At the end of the day, my main goal will be to execute my game," she said of the showdown with Serena.

"I've had to do that in the first round. I had to do it in this round. In the final, too.

"If I can achieve that, that's more or less what I'll be thinking of, not necessarily that it's the final."

While trying to treat it as just another match, Venus also knows it will be special as the sisters write another chapter in the history books.

"It's like I know that it won't be easy.

"This opponent is your sister, and she's super-awesome.

"It's wonderful." - AFP

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