Serena Williams claimed her first Wimbledon title by defeating elder sister and defending champion Venus in the final on Centre Court.

Serena had already taken Venus' crown as world number one by reaching the final, and deservedly took her Wimbledon title as well with a 7-6 6-3 victory in the first final between sisters at the All England Club since the inaugural final in 1884.

The 20-year-old took the opening set after coming out on top after three straight service breaks in the middle of the opening set, the final one gifted to her courtesy of a double fault and backhand error from Venus.

But Venus was not giving up with a third straight Wimbledon title within her sights, and broke back as Serena served for the set, Serena bouncing her racket off the turf in frustration after netting a simple backhand.

She made amends in the tie-break however, taking it 7-4 on her second set point with an ace. Umpire Jane Harvey initially called a let in the belief the ball had clipped the net, but neither player seemed to hear as the crowd applauded, and Harvey simply shrugged her shoulders as the duo took their seats.

Venus was constantly facing a battle to hold serve and saved two break points in her opening service game of the second set after two double faults.

She went 0-30 down on three straight service games and eventually the pressure told, Serena breaking for a 4-2 lead.

Just as in the first set however, Venus broke straight back only to then be broken again due to another costly double fault to give Serena a chance to serve for the match.

The new world number one did so to love and added the Wimbledon title to her French Open crown.

The Williams sisters completed a memorable day at Wimbledon by booking their place in the final of the women's doubles.

They recovered from losing the first set on a tie-break to beat Anna Kournikova and Chanda Rubin 6-7 6-0 6-3.

The third seeds will play second seeds Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez in Sunday's final.