"Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family," observed pioneering anthropologist Margaret Mead, "but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship." When both sisters happen to be world-class athletes in the same sport, competitiveness is unavoidable. When the sport in question is a racket sport, facile comparisons to tennis' Williams sisters are also to be expected. Such is the case for Puerto Rico's Diaz sisters, Melanie (pictured, right) and Adriana (left). As with Venus (40) and Serena (39) Williams, it is the younger sister who has thus far enjoyed greater success on the world stage. Melanie Diaz, 24, occupies a very strong world #68 ranking. Two years ago, she was the toast of Puerto Rico when she staged a miraculous recovery against Brazil's Bruna Takahashi in the deciding fifth match of the women's team final at the Pan American Games in Lima. While Melanie enjoyed a moment in the sun, such solar radiation has become the customary environment of her younger sister Adriana. The 20-year-old Adriana, ranked 18th in the world, is the top-ranked woman in the western hemisphere, racking up multiple singles championships at the Pan Am Games, Pan American Cup, and other intercontinental contests. Now, both Diaz sisters are in Doha, Qatar for the World Table Tennis (WTT) Middle East Hub, the official resumption of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) activity after nearly a year of pandemic-induced suspension. Adriana, by dint of her lofty world ranking, is ranked ninth among the 24 seeded players. Melanie, by dint of coincidence, is ranked ninth among the 76 aspirants vying for eight spots on offer in the qualifying rounds. Thus far, she has done her part. After a first-round bye, Melanie today overcame Kazakhstan's Zauresh Akasheva, 3-0. Tomorrow, Melanie faces Yang Haeun of South Korea for a spot in her group final. Two more wins and she is in the main draw, potentially to face her younger sister Adriana. There is also the potential for a dramatic rematch with Bruna Takahashi of Brazil, seeded in the main draw and surely not about to forget her heartbreaking match with Melanie. Regardless of the outcome, the Diaz sisters will continue to proudly fly the flag for Puerto Rico, both individually in singles and together in doubles. Well in advance of the predicted timeline, they already enjoy the strongest relationship.

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