Does Venus have the game and stamina to halt Serena's surge?

IMAGE: USA's Venus Williams returns a shot against Estonia's Anett Kontaveit during their fourth round match on Sunday. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The Williams Family show took centre stage at the US Open with Serena and Venus both winning on Sunday to set up a monster quarter-final between the tennis siblings.

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Whenever the Williams sisters clash on court it is a major tennis event but with older sister Venus, a twice US Open winner, standing in the way of defending champion Serena's quest for a rare calendar-year grand slam their meeting on Tuesday has been elevated to a must see sporting event.

With Serena bidding to become just the fourth woman to win all four grand slams in the same year, the US Open hype machine that already had been in top gear is now set to crank into overdrive.

IMAGE: USA's Serena Williams returns a shot to compatriot Madison Keys during their fourth round match on Sunday. Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for the USTA

The 35-year-old Venus, seeded 23rd, overpowered 19-year-old qualifier Estonian Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 6-1 in a ruthless fourth-round display that took just 50 minutes.

Serena followed her sister onto Arthur Ashe Stadium court and was no less efficient, routing fellow American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-3 in 68 minutes.

The Williams sisters have met 26 times over their careers with Serena coming out on top 15-11 but meeting number 27 will have more than the usual sibling rivalry riding on the outcome.

"Obviously getting to a Grand Slam semifinal is the next step toward the final. Pretty clear what's up for grabs here," said Venus.

"I think people love to see history being made.

IMAGE: Venus Williams (right) and Serena Williams. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images

"No one is out to be a spoiler, but at the same time, you're focused on winning your match even though the circumstances are really much different than you. You still have to prepare, still have to play well.

"Even though you're playing your sister you have to be prepared and focus. The preparation doesn't change."

"She's playing great," 33-year-old Serena said about seven-times grand slam winner Venus, who is two years her elder.

"I have to really be ready for that.

"At least one of us, a Williams, will be in the semis."

US Open: Does Venus have the game and stamina to halt Serena's surge?

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