TENNIS/Women's Finals Preview: No one can quite remember what shape the match took between sisters Maud and Lilian Watson in the women's singles final in 1884. It can, with reasonable accuracy, be assumed that neither lady was a Jehovah's Witness, shrieked and fist-pumped the air or hit the ball at her opponent at 110 m.p.h.

What can be agreed is that today's meeting between the number one and two players in the world is unlikely to resemble the only other all-sister final in the history of the championships.

Ignoring the familial dynamics of the contest, which after yesterday's giggling press conference no one bar the family presumes to understand, the younger Serena comes into the match with an edge on Venus.

Knowing that on Monday, when the world rankings are redrawn, Serena will be the new world number one, the 11th since Chris Evert to hold the position since computer rankings were introduced in 1975, gives her a psychological foothold. It is her first time as number one; Venus held the position for 11 weeks.

The 20-year-old is also through to her third consecutive Grand Slam final out of the past four, having missed the Australian Open with an ankle injury. And she has lost just four matches over the last 12 months, reached nine finals and won six titles.

It all helps when you are seeking to achieve what is widely regarded as the toughest task in tennis: to win French Open and Wimbledon titles (two different playing surfaces) back to back.

Venus may not have to look at the statistic books to be aware of her sister's prolific record, as they travel the world together, live in Florida together, practice together and don't mix with many people outside their family.

But for comfort and motivation, the 22-year-old may reach to the fact that she is poised to become the first woman since Steffi Graf to win the singles title three years running. If she can shift Serena, Venus would become one of only three players in the Open era to have done so, the other being Martina Navratilova.

The former champion, now 45 and playing in the doubles competitions this year, won nine Wimbledon titles, six of them in succession between 1982 and 1987.

"She's a great competitor, big serve, lots of power, great forehands, lots of movement . . ." says Venus of her sister. "She can do anything. A game pretty much similar to mine, so I respect that and I know where she's coming from.

"I think the only difference playing my sister and playing someone else is that I want to win, but I want her to win also because I want the best for her. But yet I am still going out there strong."

Venus is the more reserved character, reflective at interviews and not as garrulous. She is also taller and more physically imposing, and on court revels in a ruthless streak that appears to be genetic.

Venus took 45 minutes to dispose of Jane O'Donoghue; 57 minutes to sweep Virginia Pascual away; 83 minutes against Maureen Drake, where the title holder actually dropped a set; 48 minutes to shatter the game of 16th seed Lisa Raymond, and poor Elena Likovtseva lasted only 47 minutes. Even Justine Henin, last year's finalist and the sixth seed, bore the Centre Court straffing for only 77 minutes.

Serena's run has been almost as impressive, but taking 108 games to get through six rounds compared to 103 for Venus, she was delayed just fractionally longer. The effect on her opponents, however, including one of the most physically able players on the circuit, Amelie Mauresmo, was one of overwhelming helplessness.

"You know, I couldn't do nothing. I tried a few things but I just couldn't do nothing," said Mauresmo of Serena.

"She was so aggressive, so powerful, what could I do," said an exasperated Henin of Venus.

Yesterday the pair came in from another doubles success and faced the relentless battery of inquiries. A car had allegedly followed them from Wimbledon to their house on Thursday, while John McEnroe alluded to the fact that he thought some of their matches were arranged and asserted that if they played on the men's circuit they would be ranked in the 200s.

Shameless stonewalling put paid to any expression of how they felt about those issues or today's final. But their siege mentality and the very clear feeling that their vision remains the Williams against the world, rather than against each other, was once again arresting.

"We're not here to talk about John McEnroe or the men's game. We're not here to talk about John McEnroe or anything he says or does. We're just not here to talk about that," said Serena.

"We reckon that we're not going to play men's tennis," said a serenely carefree Venus.

The issue of tactics for today's match and with whom they would discuss them was also considered part of the Williams private estate.

"Oh, first of all, obviously if I was playing Jennifer Capriati or Martina Hingis, I wouldn't normally be discussing my tactics with my opponent," said Serena.

"Second of all, you know, we should be answering doubles questions. We would like to go home, too, because we have a big final tomorrow."

And so they left, tugging each other's arms and giggling their way into the corridors of the All England Club, Venus loose-limbed and towering over her sister, Serena's muscle definition flashing in the camera lights.

Two sisters together, having fun and going home, perhaps just the way Maud and Lilian Watson might have departed 108 years ago.