Serena Williams beats sister Venus to reach semi-finals

Serena Williams overcame her sister Venus at the US Open to move within two victories of her first calendar Grand Slam. The world number one held her nerve to win 6-2 1-6 6-3 and reach the semi-finals in New York. Serena, 33, will play unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci in the last four on Thursday.The American could become the first player to win all four majors in the same year since Steffi Graf in 1988.

Venus, 35, was playing in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2010, but threatened to derail her sister's grand ambitions.

The 23rd seed battled back to force a final set, only to see younger sister Serena capitalise on an early service break and claim her 33rd straight win at the Slams.

The Williams sisters had played each other 26 times on the professional circuit, but their 27th contest was as highly anticipated as any.

Serena might already hold all four Slam titles, but her bid to win them all in the same year has elevated tennis in the US sporting headlines.

A lengthy preceding match meant Tuesday's night session was delayed, and expectancy rose outside Arthur Ashe Stadium as 23,000 spectators waited to take their seats for the night session.

BBC