Williams dad opts to skip sisters' showdown

AFP ©

LONDON (AFP) - Richard Williams, father and coach to Serena and Venus, has opted to miss their Wimbledon singles final here on Saturday.

The decision of Richard Williams to fly back to Florida came after a fresh outburst of speculation over whether he has any influence over the outcome of matches between the two sisters.

That would have meant he would have been in the spotlight had he opted to be in the players' box on Centre Court, although neither sister offered that explanation for his departure.

"He went home," confirmed Venus. "He always tries to give us the best of advice, so I'm sure he said something to Serena, I guess. She didn't tell me, but basically he's (our) coach all the way through."

Serena added: "He said he did his job and his job was done, so I guess he's feeling good. No matter what happens he's for sure going to be a winner."

The sisters were speaking after booking their place in the women's doubles final by beating France's Nathalie Dechy and Casey Dellacqua of Australia 6-3, 6-3.

The 2002 and 2003 champions will now seek their third Wimbledon doubles title against America's Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur of Australia, the 16th seeds, who shocked top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-3, 6-3.

The Williams sisters have also won the Australian Open doubles title twice as well as one French Open.