Serena vs. Venus: Their biggest battles

The final of the Australian Open is a monumental event regardless of who is playing, but this year, the women's singles draw will be extra special.

The next chapter of Serena versus Venus marks their 28th meeting, but it is the first time they have met in a final since Wimbledon back in 2009.

With No. 1 seed Serena 35 years old and No. 17 seed Venus 36, both players are approaching the twilight of their careers, and this could be one of the last Grand Slam finals the sisters compete in.

Serena leads the overall head-to-head record at 16-11, but who will have the potential last laugh? Let's take a look at a few of the most significant bouts between the only two women in the Open Era to compete in four consecutive Grand Slam titles.

1998: Australian Open 2nd round

The first time the sisters faced off in a Grand Slam was back in 1998 in the second round of the Australian Open. Venus won the match 7-6 (4), 6-1 on a day that would be best remembered for the pact Venus revealed the sisters had made.

"It was weird," Venus said back in 1998, as quoted by espnW. "We're gonna make a pact and be No. 1 and No. 2 so we only meet in the finals and then we won't care because we'll be playing for the title."

Just as 18-year old Venus suggested, playing for titles was the next step.

2001: US Open final

Flash forward to 2001 and the US Open final - the only match between the two sisters all year, and the first final involving two sisters since the Watson sisters faced off in the 1884 Wimbledon final.

Venus won the match 6-2, 6-4, improving her head-to-head record to 5-2 against Serena.

"I take care of Serena," Venus said following the victory. "I make sure she has everything, even if I don't have anything. I love her, and it's hard."

Sometimes love hurts, and in a reversal of fortune, it would be Venus who suffered the pain of defeat to her sister in the following few years.

2002: Wimbledon final

The turning point.

Venus stepped into Centre Court as the two-time defending champion, but this did not seem to faze Serena.

The younger sister claimed her first Wimbledon title, beating Venus 7-6 (4), 6-3. With the victory, Serena surpassed Venus as the No.1 player on the tour.

Venus and Serena played each other four times in 2002 and Serena won all four matches, including the US and French Open finals.

"It's hard to beat Venus here," Serena said after the match. "She just wouldn't stop running balls down."

This comment perfectly encapsulates the essence of Serena versus Venus: desire, determination, and the drive to win.

2008: Wimbledon final

Following a prolonged period of domination by Serena, it was finally Venus' turn to lift a trophy.

Venus won the match 7-5, 6-4 in one of the most tense and exhilarating clashes between the two stars.

Serena was visibly upset after the match, and her mother Oracene Price famously said: "Well, you know, she's going to have to learn how to suck things up - say, 'OK, I'm not going to win everything."

Unfinished business

Serena will look to make history Saturday by surpassing Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, while Venus will compete in her first Grand Slam final since 2009 - where she lost to Serena.

But the No. 17 seed has been very impressive in Australia so far, taking three of her previous four matches in straight sets.

Although Serena is the clear favorite, it will come down to more than sheer skill when the sisters meet under the blazing Melbourne sun.