Venus Williams praises Johanna Konta after reaching first Wimbledon final for eight years

Venus Williams is looking to keep the Venus Rosewater Dish in the family after beating Johanna Konta and taking a step closer ending sister Serena's reign as Wimbledon champion.

A tense battle on Centre Court was decided by a crucial set-winning break at the end of the first, which proved too big a mountain for Konta to climb as Williams reached her first final since 2009.

The five-time champion will be bidding on Saturday to keep the title in the family, after Serena won in 2015 and 2016.

Venus said ahead of her clash with Garbine Muguruza, the 2015 runner-up: "Last time she played Serena so I'll have to ask Serena for some pointers. Serena's always in my corner and usually it's her in these finals so I'm trying my best to represent Williams as best as I can."

This year Serena is absent and on hiatus from the tour as she awaits the birth of her first child and Venus admits to missing her younger sister "terribly".

"I missed her so much before this match. I just wish she was here," she said. "I wish she could do this for me but I said, 'No, this time you have to do it for yourself'. So here we are."

She added: "I've played a lot of finals here at Wimbledon. One more win would amazing. It won't be a given but I'm going to give it my all."

There was praise for Konta from her 37-year-old conqueror.

"I thought the crowd was very nice to me actually. They could have been more boisterous but I thought the crowd was so fair. I know they love Jo," Williams said on the BBC.

"There's a lot of pressure and I thought she handled it well. I think my experience just helped a lot.

"She played so well. No point was easy. I just tried to climb on top each time to get another point, and then - wow - it was done so I was just so happy."

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