IF this was the last competitive meeting of the Williams sisters, it was a fitting way to end.

Not because of the prize at stake - in their 26 meetings, Venus and Serena have invariably played at a later stage of a tournament than the fourth round - but because they were both close to their best.

Serena, the top seed, justified her status as favourite by winning 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and eight minutes. But Venus, though beaten in straight sets, gave further proof that, even at 35, she still has a lot to offer the sport should she choose to continue in it.

As ever when the American siblings meet, there was an unusual atmosphere on court. Both women played to win, with Serena displaying a fearsome voracity for victory, but at times they also betrayed a reluctance to win against the particular opponent on the other side of the net on Centre Court.

If you want an idea of the mood when the sisters meet in battle, think of that infamous goal that Denis Law once scored for Manchester City against his old club Manchester United. Contrary to popular legend it did not on its own relegate United, but it was one of the final blows, and Law, rather than celebrating his backheel, looked close to inconsolable.

Serena was not quite so glum at the end of this match, but she was definitely glad to get it out of the way, and look ahead to playing against opponents not called Williams in the rounds to come. And although she said she had enjoyed the experience, it was noticeable that what she enjoyed most was being with Venus on court as opposed to against her.

"It's been six years since we played each other [in a Grand Slam]," said Serena, who has now won 15 of those 26 matches. "I just really was enjoying the moment out there.

"It was such a great vibe, such a great situation to be in, when we were both so young and dreaming of coming to Wimbledon. Not only did we fulfill our dreams, we both won it five times. That's pretty amazing. I just had an opportunity to reflect on that.

"I think I played solid. I knew that playing someone like Venus, that's beaten me the most, I have to be solid. I had to cut down on my unforced errors. I had to take a lot of chances. So I was able to do that."

Although Venus had been in good form in week one, it was Serena who got into her rhythm immediately, breaking her sister's serve in the opening game. In fact, we had to wait until the third game before Venus won her first point, an event that was greeted with cheers and applause from a sympathetic crowd. (An indication of just how indulgent that crowd can be, incidentally, came at the end of that game when the hackneyed shout of " Come on, Williams!" from a voice in the crowd was met by polite laughter. The immediate restoration of the death penalty would have been a more fitting response).

A brief tussle towards the middle of the set saw Venus break back only for Serena to reciprocate immediately, and after that it was plain sailing for the world No 1 to take the set. The second set was more even, at least until the seventh game when Venus served a double fault on break point. Serving again minutes later at 3-5 down, she had little or no resistance left to offer, and Serena easily picked her off again to take her place in the last eight.

That, at least, was the bare bones of the contest, but both women put some flesh on those bones with some exquisite shotmaking. Serena's longevity at the very top has partially eclipsed Venus's reputation at present, but once the dust has settled on the careers of both there is little doubt that the elder sister's achievements will be recognised as being nearly every bit as remarkable.

And, while Venus has seemed close to semi-retirement over the past two or three years, her remarks after the match suggested that she is in no hurry to retire. If she does hang around, of course, it will be down to the luck of the draw whether they do add to those 26 meetings.

"We've played a lot of years and we've tried to be entertaining," Venus said. "At some point we won't be playing forever, but clearly we're playing at a very high level now. So when that moment is over, it will be over. It's not now.

"I think we've always dreamed, growing up, of playing at the highest level, playing each other. We've had the opportunity to play in a lot of big finals. Playing before the later rounds is definitely not ideal, but, I mean, you have to play whoever you play that is in your draw.

"It's always been exciting and it's always been intense," she continued when asked what playing against her sister meant to her. "Because you know the person across the net is so good and is the person you respect the most. And you know chances are, they're one of the best that ever played. So, you know, you go into the match with full concentration.

"I don't think she's done, so we'll see what more she does. I don't think she would call herself the greatest player of all time, because she respects everyone else and the accomplishments they've made.

"But the level she's playing at is unprecedented. I can say that with confidence. So make what you will of it. Then when it's a wrap, it will be easier to make labels and not offend anybody."

Serena is certainly not done in this tournament. Up next for her is Victoria Azarenka, the No 23 seed, who beat Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-3. Although a former world No 1, Azarenka is still making her way back from long-term injury, and will do well to take the top seed to three sets.