Williams sisters to meet in final

The Australian Open women's singles final will be a family affair after Venus and Serena Williams booked their place in Saturday's decider.

Venus overcame American Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 6-2 6-3 to reach her first major final since 2009, while her younger sister Serena dropped just three games in her 6-2 6-1 defeat of Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Despite being the oldest competitor in the singles draw, Venus has continued to roll back the years during the tournament and the seven-time Grand Slam champion once again defied her age as she came from behind to beat Vandeweghe on Rod Laver Arena.

The exchanged breaks in a nervy start to the semi-final but they soon settled down and a tie-break was needed to decide the opening set.

Vandeweghe had defeated world number one Angelique Kerber and seventh seed Garbine Muguruza on her way to the last four and as the first set wore on she looked the more threatening, winning the tie-break to take a 1-0 lead.

Surprisingly she began to falter and grew frustrated as Williams broke for a 2-1 lead early in the second set. Another break followed to put the American 4-1 in front and although Vandeweghe managed to get another game on the board she was unable to prevent Williams from levelling the match.

Williams broke at the start of the decider before saving two break points against her own serve as Vandeweghe struggled to find a way through.

Despite holding at 4-2, it was only a matter of time before Vandeweghe faced match point. She saved three but a fourth was beyond her as Williams wrapped up victory to reach the final.

"Oh my gosh it means so much," Williams said. "Mostly because she played so well, she played so unbelievably well and I had to play defensive all the time.

"There was never a moment of relaxation ever so to get through to the final after a match like this also makes me excited about American tennis as well.

"Everyone has their moment in the sun. Maybe mine has gone on a little longer than other people, but I have nothing else to do."

A ninth all-Williams Grand Slam final was confirmed when Serena brushed aside Lucic-Baroni in the day's second semi-final.

Williams began strongly to break her Croatian opponent in the third game. It proved decisive and in just 25 minutes she had wrapped up the opening set.

Lucic-Baroni held serve at the start of the second but that was to be her last hold as Williams won six games on the bounce to confirm her place in Saturday's final where she will bit to make history by winning a 23rd Grand Slam title.

"She's my toughest opponent, no-one has ever beaten me as much as Venus has. She has a pretty good record against me," she said.

"No matter what happens we've won, she's been through a lot, I've been through a lot. To see her do so well it's great so I look forward to it. A Williams is going to win this tournament.

"I didn't watch her match before but I was really proud. She's a total inspiration, my big sister, she's basically my world and my life.

"She means everything to me and I was so happy for her obviously. I couldn't be happier for her results and for us both to be in the final is the biggest dream come true for us."

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