US Open: 40 Years of Memories and Magic

2001 Prime-Time Winner:

With their vivacity and athleticism on the court and their indomitable presence off of it, Venus and Serena Williams have brought millions of new fans to tennis and increased the exposure of the sport with their every victory. For those reasons and more, it seemed only fitting that these two inimitable stars should have the chance to sparkle under the lights of the FIRST US Open women's final to be held in primte time. The evening became an event, as for the FIRST time in the history of the tournament, sisters would square off for the title. A sold-out crowd reveled in the electric atmosphere and a TV audience or more than 22 million tuned in to the action, making it the most-watched programming on television that Saturday night. Venus beat Serena, 6-2, 6-4, to win her second consecutive US Open title, at once boosting her resume' and the profile of America's Grand Slam.

- Taken from page 18 of the Sept/Oct 2008 issue of USTA Magazine.