Serena downs Venus to win third crown

By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON (Reuters) - Serena Williams celebrated American Independence Day by beating sister Venus 7-6 6-2 with a crushing display of power tennis to win her third Wimbledon title on Saturday.

Once five-times champion Venus dumped a backhand into the net on Serena's fourth match point, the younger of the American sisters sank to her knees after finally winning her third singles crown at the grasscourt major following a six-year gap.

The 27-year-old quickly got back up on her feet to embrace Venus and then turned to lap up the applause of the 15,000 fans who had packed into a sun-kissed Center Court.

"I feel so amazing. I'm so blessed... I feel like I shouldn't be holding the trophy. I can't believe I'm holding it and Venus isn't," said a beaming Serena as she clutched the large Venus Rosewater dish.

"It's named for Venus and she always wins. It's just like wow, hasn't settled in that I've won yet."

Venus, who had been bidding to become the first woman to win a hat-trick of titles since Steffi Graf in 1993, paid tribute to her sibling.

"Today she was too good. She had an answer to everything. She played the best tennis today so congratulations," said the 29-year-old, who will be back on Center Court later on Saturday to contest the doubles final with her sister.

"I don't think the loss has settled in yet so I'm still smiling. I've had so many great times here and of course I'm looking forward to next year and the doubles final."

While tennis fans around the world tuned in to see which of the two Williams sisters -- who were locked at 10-10 in their head-to-heads going into the match -- would come out on top, one person was conspicuous by his absence.

KIDS FIGHT

Richard Williams, who does not like seeing his "kids fight each other," was on his way back to the United States since he had done his job in guiding his daughters to their fourth Wimbledon final.

Serena did not forget her father's contribution.

"My dad didn't stay but 'hi dad and thank you for putting up with me'," Serena she said into the camera.

Serena now holds three of the four grand slam titles having won the U.S. Open last September and the Australian Open in January.

There could hardly have been a better way to mark the Fourth of July. Yet second seed Serena so nearly missed the party. In Thursday's semi-final she had been match-point down against Elena Dementieva before mounting a remarkable comeback.