Serena beats sister Venus for title

PARIS -- The French Open was hers, no more shots to chase or winners to produce. Still, Serena Williams didn't want to look her opponent in the eye.

It's never easy to compete against your sister -- or beat her.

Tying their Sister Slam series at one title apiece, Serena stopped older sibling Venus 7-5, 6-3 Saturday at Roland Garros in a final that was far more competitive, if just as sloppy, as their championship match at the U.S. Open nine months ago.

And although they combined for 101 unforced errors, 14 double faults and 13 service breaks, Venus thought the match was picture-perfect: She grabbed their mother's camera and joined the horde of photographers snapping shots of Serena holding the shimmering trophy.

"Hopefully, we can build a rivalry and we'll be able to do this a lot," said 20-year-old Serena, 15 months younger than Venus. "Make a legacy, then retire champions."

She collected her second Grand Slam title -- the other was the family's first, at the 1999 U.S. Open. Venus won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open each of the past two years, meaning a Williams has captured six of the past 11 majors.

"I didn't want to be a one-hit wonder," Serena said. "I had to get it again."

In Monday's new rankings, Venus will be No. 1, and Serena No. 2, the first siblings to sit 1-2. That means they will be seeded Nos. 1 and 2 at tournaments, potentially setting up more finals, including at their next event: Wimbledon.

They share the tour lead with four titles apiece in 2002, and their combined career earnings now top $17 million.

After Venus sent one last groundstroke error into the net, Serena raised her arms, letting go of her racket, and bent over, hands on her knees. When the champion straightened up, she again raised her arms as she turned to her left to face the stands -- and not her sister across the net.