No mercy for Navratilova

Serena and Venus Williams during their doubles win

Venus & Serena Williams (US) bt Martina Navratilova (US) & Mariaan de Swardt (RSA) 4-6 6-2 6-1

Venus and Serena Williams warmed up for their singles semi-final by bludgeoning Martina Navratilova and her South African partner Mariaan de Swardt.

In a battle of power against precision, the sisters showed no mercy in the women's doubles quarter-finals, ending 43-year-old Navratilova's chances of winning a record-equalling 20th Wimbledon title.

Venus and Serena, who face each other in the singles semi-final on Thursday, lost the first set.

Cruise control

But they found their momentum in the second and were soon playing on cruise control as their thundering serves blew away the more subtle serve and volley tactics of the opposition.

Venus lost her serve twice in the first set and Serena was much more impressive at the net and sharper in the rallies.

Navratilova put a brave face on the defeat, claiming afterwards: "That was fun."

Asked if this would be her last Wimbledon, she said: "I'm not sure."

Navratilova and her partner Mahesh Bhupathi were knocked out of the mixed doubles in the first round.