For the first time in U.S. Open tennis history, two sisters will face each other for the women's title in New York. Excitement over the historic match Saturday is heightened by the fact both women are former champions.
Older sister Venus Williams reached the final on Friday by ousting second-seeded American Jennifer Capriati, 6-4, 6-2. Serena Williams advanced with an impressive win over world Number One Martina Hingis of Switzerland, 6-3, 6-2.
Venus Williams is the defending champion. She is determined to repeat. "I am still trying to take the title home," she said. "I know she will not be giving up anything tomorrow, too. It has been two years for her since she won. And it has been a year for me since I won here, too."
Serena Williams is just as determined to win. "Right now, I am focused," she said. "I am really not even that excited anymore. I am just so focused right now. And I really, really want this tournament. I am, basically, ready to do anything to get it. So that is why I do not think, for me, it really matters much. And, Venus, she is really focused also, and I do not think, for her, it matters much, either."
The men's semifinals precede the women, with Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov facing Australian Lleyton Hewitt, and American Pete Sampras going against defending men's champion, Marat Safin, of Russia.