Defending champion Venus Williams captured her fifth Wimbledon women’s singles title on Saturday, defeating sister Serena Williams 7-5, 6-4.

It was the third Wimbledon crown in four years for Venus, who trails only Martina Navratilova (nine), Steffi Graf (seven) and Billie Jean King (six) on the all-time list of women’s winners.

Venus came from 3-1 down in the first set to turn around the match, breaking Serena four times while dropping her own serve twice amid sunny but windy conditions at London’s All England Club

Venus also broke Serena’s serve to close out the match in the second set. After Serena hit a backhand wide on the second match point, the sisters embraced at the net, and Venus kept her celebrations in check as she twirled and waved to the Centre Court crowd.

“I have to first of all say great match to Serena,” Venus said after accepting the aptly named winner’s trophy — the sterling silver Venus Rosewater dish — from the Duke of Kent. “I can’t believe that it’s five but when you’re in the final against Serena Williams, five seems too far away from that first point. She played so awesome. It was really a task to beat her.

“It’s so rewarding to perform here,” Venus added. “Every time I come back I know I have the chance to play well and make history. My first job is big sister and I take that very seriously.”

Venus, 28, now owns seven Grand Slam titles. That’s one fewer than 26-year-old Serena, who has dealt her elder sister her only two Wimbledon finals defeats, in 2002 and 2003.

Sunday’s match was the seventh Grand Slam final between the Americans, with Serena leading 5-2. They are now 8-8 overall.

“I’m so happy that at least one of us was able to win,” Serena said. “She’s played great this year. We’re just glad to be in the finals again.”

Venus and Serena were to return to Centre Court later Saturday for the women’s doubles final.

The men’s singles final goes Sunday when world No. 1 Roger Federer tries for his sixth consecutive Wimbledon title against No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, who Federer has beaten in the last two finals.

With files from the Associated Press

Copyright © CBC 2008

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