Associated Press

Key Biscayne, March 30:

The Williams sisters resumed their rivalry, and Venus revived it. Venus ended a streak of six consecutive losses younger sister to Serena, winning 6-1, 7-6 on Tuesday in the quarter-finals of the Nasdaq-100 Open.

The upset should help restore some sizzle to a series that has lost much of its luster since the last time Venus won — in the 2001 US Open final. The stadium at Key Biscayne was only two-thirds full, and rallies by the two sisters were as sloppy as ever. But the upset represented a fresh twist and a psychological breakthrough for Venus, ranked ninth but intent on returning to No 1. Venus has won the Key Biscayne title three times, but not since 2001. Her next hurdle is No 2-seeded Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals.

In the men’s quarter-finals, No 1 Roger Federer will play British No 6 Tim Henman, and six-time champion Andre Agassi, will play fellow American Taylor Dent. Williams met Williams for the first time since the 2003 Wimbledon final, and the latest chapter in their family feud produced the same awkward shotmaking as in the past.