Jun 7, 2002 3 min read

PARIS (AP) – A Williams is No. 1, a Williams is No. 2, and the French Open final is Williams vs. Williams. How’s that for fulfilling a father’s prophecy?

Serena Williams tossed her racket 10 feet in the air after outlasting defending champion Jennifer Capriati 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 in a baseline bashfest. Just 11/2 hours later, older sister Venus Williams simply smiled and waved after powering past Clarisa Fernandez 6-1, 6-4 in Thursday’s second semifinal.

“History is definitely being made,” Serena said. “Hopefully, one of us will win the French Open. Well, obviously, one of us will win the French Open.”

When the new WTA Tour rankings are released Monday, they’ll be the first siblings to sit 1-2: Serena’s semifinal victory pushes her past Capriati to a career-best second, while Venus already was assured of overtaking Capriati at No. 1.

Not once in the 20th century did siblings meet for a Grand Slam title; now it’s about to happen for the second time in nine months. Venus whipped Serena 6-2, 6-4 in September’s U.S. Open final, the first at a major between sisters since Wimbledon in 1884.

That lackluster match was typical of their encounters. The sisters never play as well against each other as they do against everyone else.

“We’ve reached the best of our profession,” said Venus, who holds a 5-2 edge in family faceoffs. “Actually, I’d like to stay No. 1, but I’d like to see Serena No. 1, also. I’m not giving it up, but I’m sure she’ll get there.”

Before the women took over Center Court, the men’s quarterfinals were completed.

Andre Agassi’s bid for an eighth major title was ended by 11th-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain; Marat Safin eliminated Sebastien Grosjean; and Alex Corretja, last year’s runner-up, completed a victory over Andrei Pavel, who had just 3 hours of sleep after returning from Germany on Wednesday night following the birth of his son. Their match was stopped because of darkness Tuesday.

Today, Ferrero will play in his third straight French Open semifinal, facing Safin, the only man to make the semis at the last three majors. Corretja plays Albert Costa in an all-Spanish semifinal.

It’s the second time since 1998 that a trio of Spaniards made the semis.

Not too shabby. But how about two players from one family in a final?

It’s enough to make a mother wonder how to root. While Oracene Williams wouldn’t take sides Thursday, she was leaning one way.

“This time, maybe, I don’t know, I’d like Serena to get (a Grand Slam title), because she hasn’t got one since ’99,” she said after watching her daughters’ matches, “and that’s what she wants so bad.” Notes:@ Serena beat Venus 6-2, 6-2 in their last meeting, at Key Biscayne, Fla., in March. … Venus, who turns 22 on June 17, is 15 months older than Serena.