Sanchez Vicario Champ

Venus Williams ran into the same indefatigable force in the Sydney International final that her sister Serena did in the semifinals, an inspired Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.

Sanchez Vicario, a former No. 1, who slipped to No. 9 after a 20-month drought in 36 tournaments, outserved, outslugged and outran the 17-year-old Venus Williams in a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

In the men’s final, Karol Kucera spotted defending champion Tim Henman the first four games, then whittled away from the baseline to capture his first title in three years and only the third of his career, winning 7-5, 6-4.