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Venus Wins First Set of Wimbledon Final

Posted on: Saturday, 5 July 2003, 06:00 CDT

Venus Williams, suffering from an abdominal strain, won the first set of the Wimbledon final 6-4 against sister Serena on Saturday.

Venus took the first three games before Serena gained the form that has made her the No. 1 player in the world, rattling off three straight to even the set. But Venus broke Serena, aided by an ill-timed double fault and attempted drop shot, to close out the set.

Venus practiced for only 10 minutes earlier Saturday because of the abdominal strain, then limped off the court two hours before the match.

Williams didn't practice Friday. She aggravated the injury, which has bothered her off and on for two months, in the third game of her semifinal victory Thursday over Kim Clijsters.

The final between the sisters is their sixth in a major event, and it's not the first time Venus has been hurt. She was hindered by a right shoulder problem during the Wimbledon final a year ago, and two months later took on Serena for the U.S. Open title with tape on her right hand to cover a blister.

Both times Venus lost but discounted the significance of the injuries.

Venus won the Wimbledon title in 2000-01, and Serena is the defending champion.

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