WILLIAMS SISTERS TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE

Australian Open 2017 final will be between two sisters. Venus will face-off with younger sibling Serena in an all-American showdown at the Melbourne park.

The 13th-seed Venus, who came from a set down to defeat Coco Vandeweghe 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 will fancy her chances against Serena who ended the magical run of Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni with a 6-2 6-1 win.

It will be the first time that the pair will have met in a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 2009 and will be Serena’s eighth final at Melbourne Park.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena is the bookmakers favourite against her sister, who had only amassed seven Grand Slam win in her two decades plus professional career.

It would also be a seventh Australian Open victory for the younger Williams sister, while Venus hopes to win an eighth major title, first in Melbourne and first since Wimbledon in 2008.

Serena is edging even closer to a 23rd Grand Slam crown, which would be one shy of Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 if she is able to defeat her sister.

"It is unbelievable to watch Serena play tennis - the way she hits the ball and the competitor she is," Venus Williams said after her semi-final win.

"It would be a dream to see her on the opposite side of the net on Saturday."

Speaking after her win also, Serena said: "I am really proud of Venus - she is a total inspiration. I am really happy for her and to be in the final together is a dream for us.

"She is my toughest opponent, no-one has ever beaten me as much as Venus.
"I feel no matter what that we have both won after all we have been through. I know a Williams is going to win this tournament."

The world no-2, Serena will be the overwhelming favourite against her sister, with a 16-11 head-to-head record and also the winner of 6 of 8 Grand Slam finals between them.

VENUS WILLIAMS DEFILING THE ODDS AS SHE REACHES THE THIRD ROUND IN AUSTRALIA

A straight-sets victory earned Venus Williams safe passage through to the Australian Open third round, as the former world number one quietly went about her business at Melbourne Park.

Williams is seeded 13 and she encountered little trouble in defeating Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele in an hour and 23 minutes, winning 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Williams, who played at her first Australian Open in 1998, is the oldest woman in the singles draw at 36year-old and is competing at her 73rd majors.

"I have to talk about my age every interview!" the American said. "I've played some of the greats.
"It's an honour and privilege to start that young, and play this old."

Venus alongside her sister has pulled out of the doubles competition as a precaution to rest a sore elbow.

The 17th seed has never won the title, her best result finishing is being a runner-up to her sister Serena in 2003.