The Williamses have certainly been a force to be reckoned with at the All England Club because since 2000 only one women's Wimbledon final has not featured at least one of the sisters and this year has proved no different.

"This is what we dreamed of when we were growing up," 27-year-old Serena told reporters. "This is what we worked for, and this is what we want... it's all come down to this."

As they prepare for combat second seed Serena will be battle weary, having almost stumbled at the last hurdle when she dropped her first set of the fortnight and had to save a match point in a nail-biting semi-final win over Elena Dementieva.

In contrast Venus, who has won 35 consecutive sets dating back to the third round of the 2007 championships, dropped just one game in her crushing semi-final defeat of world number one Safina and remains the favourite to take the title.

Before they can get into the mindset of facing each other as opponents the pair first have to stand side by side as partners, as they warm up for their head-to-head with a doubles semi-final clash against top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber on Friday.

But despite their strong doubles partnership and off-court sisterly bond third seed Venus made it clear there would be no let-up in her desire to win when it comes to taking on her sister on U.S. Independence Day.

"I'm happy for her to be in the final but I have to face her and defeat her," said Venus. "I don't like to ever see her disappointed in any way. But at the same time, I don't want to see myself disappointed.

... contd.