Serena survives thriller to set up Venus clash

Serena Williams

Serena Williams

US player Serena Williams reacts against Britain's Heather Watson during their women's singles third round match on day five of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships in southwest London, on July 3, 2015 Adrian Dennis/AFP
US player Serena Williams reacts against Britain’s Heather Watson during their women’s singles third round match on day five of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships in southwest London, on July 3, 2015
Adrian Dennis/AFP

AFP – Serena Williams set up a titanic Wimbledon fourth round showdown with sister Venus as the world number one staged a dramatic final set fightback to beat Britain’s Heather Watson 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 on Friday.

Williams, bidding for a sixth Wimbledon title and a calendar Grand Slam, was on the brink of a humiliating third round exit when Watson served for the match at 5-4 in the final set.

But Serena, who had trailed 3-0 in the decider, showed why she has won 20 Grand Slam titles as she broke back before finally sealing an epic escape in two hours and 14 minutes in front of an enthralled Centre Court.

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The 33-year-old American will face Venus on Monday for the first time in a Grand Slam since beating her in the 2009 Wimbledon final.

The sisters’ last meeting came in 2014 when Venus won in Montreal, but Serena holds a 14-11 advantage over the 35-year-old in their career head to head.

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