US Open: Serena Williams defeats Venus Williams to keep Grand Slam bid alive

NO way was Serena Williams going to let anyone, or anything, stop her on this night, even if she found herself in a mid-match lull while chasing history.

2015 U.S. Open - Day 9

The second Serena Williams served a lighting fast ace that flew past her sister’s body to clinch the quarterfinals, they were family again.

For one hour and 38 minutes, they’d been fierce on court enemies, slugging it out aggressively with just one Williams victor to take the spoils of a spot in the US Open semi-finals.

And then, it was over. Serena and Venus embraced at the net, with the older sister whispering a sweet something in the winner’s ear.

“I’m so happy for you,” Venus said.

Venus became the 11th player to claim a set against the world number one this grand slam season, and the 11th to lose the third.

Serena Williams (L) of the United States hugs Venus Williams of the United States after defeating her during their Women's Singles Quarter-finals match.

The stakes had been greater for Serena, who is now just two matches away from claiming a calendar grand slam — the first woman since Steffi Graf did it in 1988.

Last night’s match marked the first time the pair had played at the US Open since 2008. And they gave a match for the history books, despite the unsurprising outcome of Serena’s 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 victory.

Venus managed to seize the second set quickly, fiercely hitting from the baseline to capture break points.

The fully packed centre court — including the likes of Donald Trump, Oprah and Kim Kardashian — was loudly behind the underdog.

At one point, when Venus faced a break point in the second set and the crowd roared while Serena prepared to serve, the world number one appeared to look to the tennis heavens, roll her eyes and say “come on”.

Serena Williams falls to the court as she follows through on a shot to Venus Williams during a quarter-final match at the U.S. Open.

Serena smashed an ace to claim the match 40-15 in the third set, 6-3. And with that, they were sisters and roommates again.

Serena said she’d look back on the moment Venus embraced her after the win fondly.

“I will look back on it fondly. It means a lot to me. Obviously we are very, very tough competitors on the court, but once the match is over and the second it’s done, you know, we’re sisters, we’re roommates, and we’re all that,” she said.

Serena said it was strange not to be rooting for her sister in the match.

“Because every single match I root for her every time, and so it’s interesting to be in a position to what you’re trying to win,” she said.

Venus said to see Serena win a calendar slam — the first woman since Steffi Graf achieved the feat in 1988 — would be a tribute to her whole family.

“I think that would be huge … for my family just for what it represents and how hard we have worked and where we come from.”

She added that Serena — who she referred to as “the best ever” had “nothing to prove” and “if it doesn’t happen its not going to make or break you.”

Serena has now won 16 of the pair’s 27 meetings. Both say the other is their toughest competitor on the tour.