26th October, 2013
Serena Williams overcame physical problems and as well as emotional distress to defeat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on Saturday and reach the WTA Championships final.
The world number one and defending champion, who will face China’s Li Na in Sunday’s final, put in a stumbling performance and twice sat weeping into her towel during change-overs.
She also committed 40 unforced errors and hit 40 winners, and allowed a 5-1 final set lead to evaporate to within one point of 5-5 before finishing the match with three trademark heavy blows.
“I’m relieved and just glad
to be in the final,” said Williams.
“I’m relieved and just glad to be in the final,” said Williams.
The 31 year old Li earlier beat Petra Kvitova with a convincing 6-4, 6-2. Kvitova, the former Wimbledon champion from the Czech republic, won the title two years ago.
Already the first Chinese singles player to win a Grand Slam, and now assured of a season-end highest-ever world ranking of at least number three, Li’s latest victory was a reward for positive early groundstroke attacking from both wings and a ratio of unforced errors significantly lower than Kvitova’s.