Williams Sisters Whitewash Sets Up boring Final

The Williams sisters marked Independence Day by asserting their near-monopoly of women's tennis and fighting through to face each other in the Wimbledon singles final for the first time.

Tomorrow's shootout between the top seeds Venus and Serena is their third final in grand slam events but the first between siblings at Wimbledon since the Harrow-born Maud Watson beat Lilian in 1884.

Last night Serena gained a psychological edge over her elder sister by displacing her as world No1, a status that will not change even if she is beaten by Venus, the defending champion, tomorrow.

The 20-year-old Serena paid tribute to her parents, Richard and Oracene, after her crushing 6-2, 6-1 semi-final win over France's Amélie Mauresmo. "It's tough enough to raise one great player," she said. "My parents have done not one, but two. No matter what people say, my mum and dad have made some champions."

Mauresmo said: "I think it's a little bit sad for women's tennis. I think people are going to get bored with it; it was already a final at the French Open. I can't count how many people since yesterday have told me, 'we don't want a Williams final whatever'."

Previous major clashes between the sisters have been disappointing, including Serena's French Open triumph in June and their Wimbledon semi-final of 2000 when Venus triumphed 6-2, 7-6 and went on to take the title.

In that semi-final Serena showed no semblance of the form that had seen her concede only 13 games in her run to the last four. Not for the first time cynics suggested that the family affair lacked true competitiveness. Yet their French final, in which Serena avenged her 2001 US Open final defeat by Venus, was studded by fierce hitting on both sides and long, demanding rallies.

Venus, 22, leads 5-3 in their battles, a further incentive for Serena to triumph tomorrow. Serena said: "Just because I'm world No1, it doesn't mean I don't want to win Wimbledon."

Last night Venus, earlier a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Justine Henin, and Serena focused together as they won their third-round doubles match.

An obsessed German fan who has followed Serena Williams at events across Europe was bound over to keep the peace yesterday after being arrested at Wimbledon.

Albrecht Stromeyer, 34, from Frankfurt, appeared at Wimbledon magistrates' court on charges of breach of the peace and criminal damage.

Stromeyer has been under police surveillance since arriving in London last week. He was arrested after lunging at an officer attempting to take his photograph.