Victoria: History beckons for Serena Williams at the Australian Open on Saturday as she targets a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title- with her sister, Venus, standing in the way.


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It will be the 29th major final for Serena since making her Grand Slam debut in Australia in 1998, and she powered through to the decider without dropping a set.


Much less predictably, her elder sister will be on the other side of the net, searching for her first Grand Slam crown in nine long years since Wimbledon in 2008.


A seventh Melbourne triumph for Serena will finally push her past Steffi Graf`s Open-era record of 22 major titles, with only Margaret Court`s all-time mark of 24 still to beat.


"It would mean a lot to me," said the second seed, who also stands to reclaim the world number one ranking from Angelique Kerber. "I wouldn`t know what to do actually. I`m still taking it one point at a time."


Regardless of what is on the line, it will a special occasion for Serena as she is unexpectedly facing Venus, whom few had tipped to reach the final aged 36 and after years of illness and injury problems.


"It`s the one time that I really genuinely feel like no matter what happens, I can`t lose, she can`t lose," Serena, 35, said of the all-Williams encounter.


They are each other`s greatest rivals, playing 27 times in their long careers, including in eight Grand Slam finals. Serena holds a 6-2 edge in the major deciders, with a 16-11 win-loss record overall.


Venus, who has won seven Grand Slam finals and lost another seven, has become the Australian Open`s oldest finalist in the Open era as she attempts to crash her sibling`s party.


"Honestly I probably just need to continue playing as I`m playing. I`m not playing badly," said Venus.


"Okay, it won`t be an easy match. You have to control yourself, then you also have to hopefully put your opponent in a box."


Seeded 13, Venus now holds the record for the longest wait between major finals, at seven-and-a-half years since her last appearance at Wimbledon in 2009.


Following them on court will be the men`s doubles final, where American veterans Bob and Mike Bryan play Finland`s Henri Kontinen and Australia`s John Peers.