The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia - Once the fittest and strongest player in women's tennis, Martina Navratilova found the power of the Williams sisters too much to handle at the Australian Open.

Navratilova and 17-year-old Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova lost 6-2, 6-3 in 66 minutes to the sisters Sunday in third-round doubles.

"This is a new breed of player, really," Navratilova said. "Just the combination of the new breed of players who hit the ball harder. They don't just hit it hard, they get it in."

Navratilova - winner of 56 Grand Slam titles, including 18 in singles - points to the size of today's players.

"I was one of the bigger ones out there," she said.

Serena and Venus don't play doubles together regularly because of their schedules. But they have won nine titles together, including five at Grand Slam events - two at Wimbledon and one each at the other three majors, the French, Australian and U.S. Opens. They also won the 2000 Olympic title.

Navratilova also played the Williams sisters at Wimbledon in 2001, losing in the quarterfinals.

"They don't need much strategy, but they do think out there," Navratilova said. She said they had "a better shot selection now" and "mix it up better than they did."

Despite being overrun Sunday, Navratilova reckons it would have been different in her prime.

"If I get my racket on it, I can handle it ... think with my game, hitting the slice serve and the slice backhand, it would have been all right," she said.

Before the match, Venus expressed amazement at Navratilova's career.

"I'm not willing to work as hard as she does - even now," Venus said. "I mean, to be out there at 46, I probably won't be that successful."

Serena and Venus next face Kim Clijsters and Ai Sugiyama.

FAMILY MAN: Andre Agassi is traveling in different style these days.

"I takes about three times as long to do anything ... you leave early, you leave room for all sorts of curves and take it in stride," Agassi said. "It beats the alternative. It's not easy being away from your family."

His wife, Steffi Graf - among the greats in women's tennis history - and 1-year-old son Jaden Gil keep Agassi company on tour.

VENUS (NOT) RISING: Despite losing 6-3, 6-2 to Venus Williams, Australia's Nicole Pratt isn't among those forecasting a fourth straight Grand Slam final between the Williams sisters.

"I think I'll stick with Kim (Clijsters)," Pratt said, regarding her pick for the women's champion.

Pratt saw Venus as "a little bit shaky in different areas. Girls like Kim and obviously Serena (Williams), I think, are hitting better off the ground than Venus at the moment." But, she added, "Venus has a great serve and is able to pull out points when she needs them."

Serena beat older sister Venus last year for the title at the French Open and U.S. Open and Wimbledon. In November, Clijsters beat both sisters en route to winning the WTA Tour Championships.