Williams sisters win 12th major doubles title

PARIS (AP) — Venus and Serena Williams won their fourth consecutive major doubles title Friday at the French Open.

"A Williams slam," Serena called it.

The sisters earned their 12th Grand Slam title by beating Katarina Srebotnik and Kveta Peschke 6-2, 6-3.

"It's really tough when you play one Williams," Venus said. "When you play two, it's really not an easy win."

The sisters will be ranked No. 1 in doubles for the first time next week in a partnership that began in the 1980s. They laughed as they reminisced about learning to play doubles.

"My dad told Venus to cross more, and so I think she got upset, and she crossed when the person was serving," Serena said.

"I remember that," Venus said. "Our older sister was serving."

"Oh my gosh, that was so funny," Serena said. "Dad told me I had to play the forehand, because I was young and I was smaller, and then he put Venus on the backhand. It has been like that ever since. That was 20 years ago?"

"At least," Venus said.

They're only the third women's doubles pair to win four major titles in a row. Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver did it in 1983-84, and Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva did it in 1992-93.

It's the siblings' second French Open doubles championship, with the other coming in 1999. For several years they played little doubles, but they plan to keep playing together at the major tournaments.

"We just realize what it's like to have that major title next to your name, and it's pretty addictive," Venus said.

"When you're out there and you're playing singles, it's a great feeling obviously," Serena said. "But also to play doubles with someone that's your sister, your flesh and blood, that's even better."

The victory compensated at least somewhat for the sisters' disappointment in singles. No. 1-ranked Serena lost in the quarterfinals, and No. 2 Venus lost in the fourth round.