Williams sisters expecting to be second to none

NEW YORK -- Still buoyed by their surprising 1-2 finish at Wimbledon, Venus and Serena Williams expect to climb back to Nos.1 and 2 in the women tour's computer rankings.

"That's the plan," says Venus, the Wimbledon champion. "But I don't think either one of us is aiming for No.2."

Venus' response evoked laughter from the news media but also signaled her determination not to settle for No.2, as she did when the power-hitting sisters ruled the women's game at the turn of the 21st century.

They resume their quest for the top two spots at the U.S. Open, which begins today. No.4 Serena, 26, faces Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko, and No.7 Venus, 28, plays Australia's Samantha Stosur in the first round.

The sisters could meet in the quarterfinals, eliminating the possibility of a second consecutive showdown in ...