Sisters need US Open clash to silence doubters

Serena and Venus Williams need a full-blooded US Open clash to silence the critics who still believe there was something strange about their Wimbledon final.

Serena defended the title with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory but all the attention was on Venus, who was patently severely hampered by injury. Commentator John McEnroe does not believe the match was scripted and said: "The outcome was not predetermined."

However, the contest left a hollow feeling and Serena will be hoping Venus can regain full fitness to play at Flushing Meadow and give her sister a real match. Venus's personal trainer on the women's tour, Kerrie Davis, said: "Venus has a programme of treatment she can follow including both ice and heat but the only real cure for her strains is a long rest."

Venus said she had to "take one for the team" - something she failed to do in 2001 - pulling out of her Indian Wells semi-final with Serena, igniting boos and catcalls in the final that the Williams family claimed were racially inspired. They haven't gone back.

Patently, they wanted to avoid that kind of scenario at Wimbledon, having had both sisters booed by the French Open crowds last month.

At least they can return to Wimbledon next year knowing they played a two-hour final that may have lacked any emotional attachment with the crowd, but did satisfy the television companies, particularly in America.