Venus not thinking about final against Serena

Venus Williams refuses to be distracted by the possibility of meeting sister Serena in the Wimbledon final on Saturday, choosing instead to focus on last-four opponent Angelique Kerber.

The elder Williams sister sealed her return to the last four at the All England club for the first time since 2009 on Tuesday with a straight-sets win over Yaroslava Shvedova.

Having been placed on opposite sides of the draw, Venus could meet Serena in the final this weekend as the latter bids for a 22nd grand slam title to move level with Steffi Graf.

However, Venus is concentrating on Australian Open champion Kerber and the threat she poses after knocking out Simona Halep.

“Of course, this is great for both of us,” said the 36-year-old.

“But when you’re a player, you’re so focused on the next match, and that’s what we’re both focused on.

“We don’t really talk about that [meeting in the final] because we are focused on the next match.

“Even though we both won today, our opponents played really well. We actually have to get out there and play well to win. So it’s very focused.

“So the talk about what could happen is not as important as what’s happening in that round.”

Venus’ victory came ahead of Serena’s quarter-finals with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and she was able to watch some of her sister’s impressive display.

She added: “I got to see some of her match.  She’s just playing the big points really well.

“That’s what you want. When it’s time to step up, you just constantly put your foot over the line. That’s what she’s doing.”