Serena Williams and older sister Venus will be playing their 30th tour-level encounter at the US Open.
Serena Williams set up the highly anticipated matchup at Flushing Meadows by hitting 13 aces and overwhelming 101st-ranked Carina Witthoeft of Germany 6-2 6-2 in a little more than an hour in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night.
Hours earlier, across the way at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Venus Williams did her part with another straight-set victory, eliminating 40th-ranked Camila Giorgi of Italy 6-4 7-5.
“Unfortunately and fortunately, we have to play each other. We make each other better. We bring out the best when we play each other. It’s what we do,” Serena said. “I think we’re used to it now.”
The superstar siblings will be meeting in the third round at the US Open, their earliest showdown at a major tournament in 20 years.