Williams sisters to turn out in Sydney

Serena Williams, reigning US Open singles champion, will pair Wimbledon titlist and elder sister Venus Williams in the doubles event in tennis at Sydney.

An arbitrator turned down a bid by Lisa Raymond to take the second doubles slot after Venus.

As per WTA rankings, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and Monica Seles were picked to represent USA in the singles event. Coach Billie Jean King picked Venus and Serena for the doubles.

Raymond, the world's top-ranked women's doubles player, demanded arbitration, on the grounds that while she was the number one in the event, Serena did not even have a doubles ranking yet.

Venus, meanwhile, went to bat for her sibling, saying that she would give Sydney a miss if Serena wasn't picked.

The arbitrator turned down Raymond's appeal, without giving a reason.