Rain clears before women's final

LONDON (Reuters) - Fears that Wimbledon could witness its first final to be played indoors receded on Saturday after it stopped raining 45 minutes before the start of the women's showpiece between Venus and Serena Williams.

Covers were pulled on Centre Court at 1145 GMT after it started to drizzle in south-west London just 75 minutes before the scheduled start time but the rain had passed within half an hour and the hallowed turf was once again exposed for all to see.

The sisters, who between them own seven Wimbledon singles titles, warmed up for their fourth final showdown here by hitting with male practice partners on adjacent outside courts on Saturday morning.

Five-times champion Venus was seen pounding down her thundering serves while U.S. Open and Australian Open holder Serena opted to hone her groundstrokes.

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