Global Times - Venus sets up final clash with Serena

Venus sets up final clash with Serena

Source: Global Times
[09:06 November 02 2009]
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Venus Williams feeling good after beating Jelena Jankovic Monday. Photo: AFP

Holder Venus Williams completed her circuitous route to the WTA Championships final in Doha Monday, beating Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to set up yet another showdown with sister Serena.

Serena, who will end the year as world No. 1 for the first time since 2002, got past Caroline Wozniacki after the Dane pulled out with a stomach injury when trailing 6-4, 0-1.

Venus seemed down-and-out after defeat by her sister followed an opening group loss against Elena Dementieva.

After beating Svetlana Kuznetsova, though, some complicated math edged her through to the last four by virtue of sets won. It was all a bit unconvincing again Monday as the seven-time Grand Slam champion sprayed errors around the court and also needed treatment on her knee several times.

Gradually she turned things in her favor after Jankovic committed the cardinal sin of failing to finish off a Williams sister when the chance presented itself.

Venus, 29, is the first player to reach the final after losing two matches in the round robin stage since Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo in 2003.

"This is my last tournament of the year so I was giving 1,000 percent," said the American world No. 7.

"It's wonderful to be playing Serena in the final. I'm so excited. It's the way I wanted to end the year," she added.

Jankovic broke serve at 5-5 in the first set and then held her own to go ahead.

Venus appeared to be struggling more in the stifling humidity and served two double faults at 2-2 in the second to trail 0-40 only for Jankovic to let her opponent off the hook with some wasteful errors.

The Serb then saved two break points in the next game but Venus seized her chance when a third opportunity arose.

Jankovic broke serve early in the deciding set but surrendered her own delivery three times in a row and, although she did hang on at 3-5, Venus clinched victory in the next game with a forehand.

"It's disappointing. I had a lot of break points in the second set but then I let everything slip away," Jankovic said.

Wozniacki, too, looks in need of a rest. The world No. 4, who suffered agonizing cramps during her group match win over Vera Zvonareva Friday, led 2-0 against Serena but then fell away.

Agencies