Serena Williams at her best

Venus Williams had to play second fiddle to her younger sister as she has done so many times in their spectacular tennis careers.
But this was Centre Court Wimbledon, the place that had made Venus look like the real queen of England so many times in the past. Wasn't Venus supposed to win her sixth Wimbledon crown to edge closer to Martina Navaratilova's record total?
No, it was Serena's time. And, wow, did she live up to the moment.
Serena just wasn't expected to be so supreme against her older sister, even if Venus had beaten her in last year's final on Centre Court.
Ten points! That's what this 21st meeting of the sisters was all about. Serena sailed through a tiebreaker, 7-3, and went on to a 7-6, 6-2 victory for her 11th Grand Slam title, and 11th win over her sister.

SUPREME ATHLETIC ABILITY
Venus and Serena are not better strokers of the tennis ball than anyone else. They are simply better athletes who can use their size, power and athletic ability to overwhelm everyone else. And Saturday, Venus fell in the everyone else category. Serena was supreme.
This one looked a little unfair to Venus as Serena appeared to surprise her by going for the jugular in the tiebreaker. After an almost totally equal 12 games in which there were few threatening moments for either player, Serena suddenly raised the level of her game to a plateau only Serena appears capable of reaching.
Those 10 points were the match.
Venus' demeanor appeared to change after that as she seemed to fully experience the agony of defeat. Nothing can be more difficult than losing to your little sister.

A TASK EVEN TOO TALL FOR VENUS
A victory would have edged Venus within three of Navratilova's record nine Wimbledon titles. At 29 years old, four more titles now appear to be too tall of a task even for the 6-1 Venus. The main reason for that assumption was on the other side of the net on this Fourth of July.
Perhaps, Venus needed this one more than Serena.
Venus had never looked more comfortable or in control of her game than the first six matches of this Wimbledon. Serena changed all of that.
As unfortunate as it may be, Venus may have a more difficult time as the tour moves to America's hard courts which almost surely will take a heavy toll on her sore left knee. The heat may pose other another problems.
And, of course, Venus simply isn't the same player elsewhere. Unlike Serena who excels even more with her raw power on hard surfaces, Venus' top-spin appears to fly on her.
Another Wimbledon is a long ways off for Venus. She'll be 30 when she arrives in London next time.
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James Beck is the long-time tennis columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper. He can be reached at
Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com
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See James Beck's Post and Courier columns at:
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James Beck