(Getty)
In 1998, two teenage sisters by the names of Venus and Serena Williams met for the first time professionally in the second round of the Australian Open. It was obvious that both had immense potential, but no one could have foreseen the pure dominance–a total of 29 Grand Slam singles titles, 42 Grand Slam singles appearances and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together–that was going to happen over the next two decades.
Venus ultimately won that match and would capture five of the first six head-to-head meetings (not counting Serena’s infamous walkover win at the 2001 Indian Wells), but soon thereafter little sister began to dominate the rivalry.
Between 2002 and 2003, Serena defeated Venus six consecutive times–including wins in four straight Grand Slam finals–and dropped just two sets during that stretch:
Their transcendence over the years has only been matched by their longevity, and now, in the same tournament where they first met professionally 19 years ago, Venus and Serena are set to renew their rivalry for the 28th time with an Australian Open title on the line.
Here’s a complete look at their head-to-head history:
Serena vs. Venus Head-to-Head Records
Overall Head-to-Head: Serena leads 16-11
Grand Slam Head-to-Head: Serena leads 9-5
Grand Slam Finals Head-to-Head: Serena leads 6-2
Australian Open Head-to-Head: Tied 1-1
Hardcourt Head-to-Head: Serena 11-8
Serena vs. Venus Complete Match History
1998 Australian Open Round of 64: Venus def. Serena 7-6(4), 6-1
1998 Rome Masters Quarterfinals: Venus def. Serena 6-4, 6-2
1999 Miami Masters Final: Venus def. Serena 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
1999 Grand Slam Cup Final: Serena def. Venus 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
2000 Wimbledon Semifinals: Venus def. Serena 6-2, 7-6
2001 Indian Wells Semifinals: Serena def. Venus via walkover
2001 US Open Final: Venus def. Serena 6-2, 6-4
2002 Miami Masters Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-2, 6-2
2002 French Open Final: Serena def. Venus 7-5, 6-3
2002 Wimbledon Final: Serena def. Venus 7-6(4), 6-3
2002 US Open Final: Serena def. Venus 6-4, 6-3
2003 Australian Open Final: Serena def. Venus 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4
2003 Wimbledon Final: Serena def. Venus 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2005 Miami Masters Quarterfinals: Venus def. Serena 6-1, 7-6(8)
2005 US Open Round of 16: Venus def. Serena 7-6(5), 6-2
2008 Bangalore Open Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4)
2008 Wimbledon Final: Venus def. Serena 7-5, 6-4
2008 US Open Quarterfinals: Serena def. Venus 7-6(6), 7-6(7)
2008 WTA Championships Round Robin: Serena def. Venus 5-7, 6-1, 6-0
2009 Dubai Semifinals: Venus def. Serena 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(3)
2009 Miami Masters Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2009 Wimbledon Final: Serena def. Venus 7-6(3), 6-2
2009 WTA Championships Round Robin: Venus def. Serena 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4)
2009 WTA Championships Final: Serena def. Venus 6-2, 7-6(4)
2013 Charleston Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-1, 6-2
2014 Canadian Masters Semifinals: Venus def. Serena 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3
2015 Wimbledon Round of 16: Serena def. Venus 6-4, 6-3
2015 US Open Quarterfinals: Serena def. Venus 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
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Venus vs. Serena Williams: Head-to-Head Record & History