By Richard Kent, Staff Reporter

NEW YORK — It was billed as a supreme battle. One which either sister could win.

It was 38-year-old Venus vs. 36-year-old Serena in “Sister Act 30” before a sold-out Friday night crowd.

And it all started way back at the Australian Open in 1998 when Venus defeated her younger sister.

The ledger now stands at 18-12 Serena, as she easily defeated her sister in the third round of the U.S. Open 6-1,6-2. And it wasn’t even that close. Serena was serving and smashing forehands by Venus with impunity.

Venus characterized her sister’s performance as the best she has ever played against her. Tough to argue with that.

Serena won 79% of her powerful first serves, to only 39% by Venus. Staggering stats. She has now won 9 of the last 11 matches between the 2.

Venus was seeded no. 16 entering the tourney, with Serena at 17.

Serena looks like the top player in the field after week one. She’ll return to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court Sunday afternoon against unseeded Kaia Kanepi.