With both Venus and Serena Williams sporting heavily taped legs and knees, one would think both ladies made it to the finals of the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships via medivac helicopter. However, that didn’t stop them from putting on another slugfest with little sister Serena finally winning 6-2, 7-6 (4).
Despite both players moving slower than normal, it didn’t stop the shotmaking especially for Venus who went for more winners early in the rallies. Serena’s serve held up throughout the match as she never faced a break point.
After losing the first set, it looked like Venus might give in, but she hung tough and forced things to a tiebreak. Yet loose errors on her forehand side allowed Serena to jump out to a 4-1 lead.
Nerves got the best of Serena as she allowed Venus back in the tiebreak at 5-4, but Serena gathered herself to hit a strong first serve to get to 6-4 and then on match point hit a crosscourt forehand winner.
With the win, it marks the first time Serena was won the YEC event since 2001 and secures her No. 1 ranking for the year. Venus will finish the year ranked No. 6.
Adjusting the Net 