Williams sisters duel with rugby brothers

Ardie and Julian Savea are not just brothers but well known rugby stars in New Zealand. When the two fearsome Kiwis took on the smashing sister tandem of Venus and Serena Williams in an exhibition event at the ASB Classic in Auckland, though, they found themselves up against a literally tall task.

With Wilson racquets proudly displayed, the four fast friends enjoyed a session of nearly gut-splitting guffaws and a few comically errant forehands in the name of charity, raising $65,000 for relief efforts for the coastal city of Kaikoura and its inhabitants, who have suffered from earthquake destruction.

Despite the dire circumstances of the people of Kaikoura, a city north of Christchurch on New Zealand's eastern coast, the Saveas and Williamses, with an assist from Caroline Wozniacki, greatly aided locals with a day of fun and frivolity on court.

"I couldn't stop laughing!" Venus said after the fact, reaffirmed in photos from the event that show her, Serena and Wozniacki flashing gregarious grins alongside their All Blacks–playing buddies.

It all looked like a designer-toothpaste TV advert.

The Savea brothers admitted to feeling "kind of starstruck" ahead of the event, though they comported themselves well in the hit-and-giggle action, on down to wielding that exo-classic oversized racquet.

Serena had good reason for being in high spirits, as she was experiencing New Zealand for the first time and relishes in her freshly announced engagement. Taco rings, anyone?

Not all went so smoothly for the Williams sisters once play started. Serena fell to No. 72-ranked Madison Brengle in the second round, while Venus pulled out with an arm injury.

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.