VENUS WILLIAMS beat sister Serena 7-5, 6-4 yesterday for her fifth Wimbledon title and seventh Grand Slam championship.

This was Venus' first victory over her younger sibling in a Grand Slam final since the 2001 US Open, and it evened their career record at 8-8.

"I can't believe that it's five," Venus said. "But when you're in the final against Serena Williams, five seems too far away. She played so awesome, it was really a task to beat her," she said.

Venus came from 3-1 down in the first set to turn around the match, breaking Serena four times while dropping serve twice in a final that produced breathtaking tennis despite swirling wind.

This was more than a matchup between siblings; it was a contest between two of the hardest-hitting, most athletic players in the world at the top of their game.

Venus broke to finish the match, with Serena hitting 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.

Venus accepted the winner's trophy - a sterling silver salver aptly named the Venus Rosewater dish - from the Duke of Kent.

"It's so rewarding to perform here," Venus said. "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."

Watching from the players' box was the sisters' mother, Oracene. Their father, Richard, had flown back to the United States because he can't stand to watch his daughters play each other.

mixed feelings

Referring to the mixed feelings of her family about who to support, Venus said, "It's hard for all of them, but I like to think they want me to win."

The 26-year-old Serena accepted her runner-up trophy and paid tribute to her 28-year-old sister.

"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."

On Sunday, five-time champion Roger Federer and two-time runner-up Rafael Nadal will meet in their third consecutive final at Wimbledon.

Federer, chasing his 13th Grand Slam title, has won 65 consecutive matches on gra** and 40 straight at the All England Club. He will be trying to surpass Bjorn Borg by winning a sixth straight Wimbledon title. The only man to win six in a row was Willie Renshaw in the 1880s, and he had to win only one match to defend his titles.

Nadal could become the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

Both Williams sisters struggled with the swirling wind around Centre Court, with Venus repeatedly stopping to catch her service toss, and rallies were often affected by sudden gusts.

"It was not so easy," Serena said. "Every time I tried to hit a shot, the wind would blow it."

Today, five-time champion Roger Federer and two-time runner-up Rafael Nadal will meet in their third consecutive men's final at Wimbledon.