Venus Williams ends sister Serena’s Indian Wells comeback early after return from childbirth

Serena suffered her 25th defeat to her older sister in her first tournament since returning to competitive tennis after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia

The Williams sisters embrace after Venus' victory over Serena at Indian Wells (Getty)

Venus Williams got the better of her younger sister Serena to make it through to the fourth round at Indian Wells with a 6-3 6-4 win.

Serena was playing in her first tournament since giving birth last September and faced her sister for the 29th time, with Venus winning all but four of their meetings.

Serena saved three break points to hold her first service game but lost her third to love as Venus took a 4-2 lead and served out for the set in 37 minutes.

Venus raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set after breaking her sister twice and had a match point at 5-3 which Serena saved, before Venus saved a break point of her own at 5-4 and went on to take the match.

The number eight seed will go on to face Latvian Anastasija Sevastova who beat Julia Goerges in straight sets 6-3 6-3.

Serena Williams was playing in her first tournament since returning from giving birth to her daughter (Getty)

Second seed and Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki is through to the fourth round after seeing off Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4 2-6 6-3, while US Open champion Sloane Stephens lost to Daria Kasatkina 6-4 6-3.

Caroline Garcia beat Daria Gavrilova 7-5 6-4 to set up a match with Angelique Kerber, who beat Elena Vesnina 7-5 6-2.

Venus has now recorded 25 victories over her younger sister in 29 matches (Getty)

Meanwhile, wildcard Danielle Collins beat Sofya Zhuk 6-4 6-4 and will face Carla Suarez Navarro, who beat number four seed Elina Svitolina 7-5 6-3.

PA