Serena Williams powers past sister Venus at US Open

Serena Williams played the best tennis since her return to the tour as she beat her sister Venus in straight sets to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

Twelve months to the day since she was heading to the hospital to give birth to her daughter, Serena served notice that she is once again the woman to beat at Flushing Meadows.

“This was my best match since I returned,” she said on court.

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The six-time champion won the 30th encounter between the sisters 6-1 6-2, despite a heavily -taped right ankle that required treatment early in the first set.

It did not appear to hinder her movement as she came out of the changeover to break for a 3-1 lead that proved decisive in claiming the opening set.

Dropping just four points on serve and hitting 15 winners, including an ace on set point, it was a whirlwind half hour of brilliance that left Venus looking helpless.

pic.twitter.com/QwK97jeAvY

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 1, 2018

There was no respite for the elder sibling in the second set as Serena broke immediately and stretched away again, albeit fending off a break point along the way.

A comprehensive victory was wrapped up after 72 minutes, with Serena ending the match on 10 aces and 33 winners.

“It’s not easy,” said Serena.

“She’s my best friend, she means the world to me, and she’s so supportive of my career and I’m extremely supportive of her career, and every time she loses I feel like I do.

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“But it’s a tournament and we all know that there’s more to life than just playing tennis.”

Twenty years since their first Grand Slam meeting, Serena took her head-to-head lead to 18-12 with the most one-sided result between them at a major.

“It’s definitely different now,” Serena said.

“I feel like we want it so bad now. I mean, we wanted it really bad when you were younger, but we had a lot more years in our future. Now, I mean, we definitely want to continue to play, but it’s not like we’re 18 and 19 any more. So it’s a little bit different.”

Asked about her ankle, she added: “I actually roll my ankles a lot, so I wanted to get it taped as tight a I could for the rest of the match and see how I feel tomorrow.”

She goes on to face Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi in the round of 16, with a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title in her sights once again.

Kanepi will be facing a woman in the form of her life, according to the American’s sister.

“I think it’s the best match she’s ever played against me,” Venus said.

“I don’t think I did a lot wrong. But she just did everything right. Obviously that level is definitely where she’s going to want to stay during this whole tournament.

“She didn’t win that match tonight because I just rolled over. She played untouchable tennis. Whoever she plays, she’s going to earn it. It’s not like people don’t try. People will try against her. I know people are going to keep that up.”