Sport - Tennis

Serena’s devious plans for Venus

— PHOTO: AFP

TALKING TENNIS: Venus Williams says the sisters save tennis-related conversation for when they play doubles together.

LONDON: As the Williams sisters close in on their first Grand Slam showdown since 2003, thoughts turn to the potential pre-match preparations on Saturday.

Not so simple when Venus and Serena are sharing the same accommodation in Wimbledon village.

“I’m going to sabotage her and eat all the breakfast,” sixth-seeded Serena said with a smile. “I’ll eat all the Wheaties so she doesn’t have any chance (to win) — if we get that far.”

And all the time Serena will be identifying flaws to topple the defending champion on Centre Court.

“She’s an opponent, you scout your opponents,” she said.

In their only previous title-match clashes at the All England Club, Serena won both times — in 2002 and ’03.

But as they prepare for their semifinals — Venus against Elena Dementieva and Serena against Zheng Jie — they will avoid talking tennis over dinner.

“The most we talk about tennis is when we’re on the doubles court,” Venus said. “We discuss the strategy and pump each other up.”

Serena disclosed the one characteristic of Venus she would love to have. “I would have her legs — she has the sexiest legs,” Serena said.

Fifty spectators fainted at Wimbledon on Tuesday as temperatures topped 34 degrees Celsius on Centre Court.

“People don’t like to leave the tennis when a good match is going on, but they should make sure they’ve got enough water to drink, said St. John Ambulance official Mike Gibbons. — AP

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