Tennis Frontier

Tag: WTA Championships

Serena Williams Caps Historic Year With a Win in Istanbul

Serena Williams came from behind to beat China’s Li Na in the WTA Championships final in Istanbul: 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

The 32-year-old world No. 1 overcame a lethargic start, and a stellar Li, who broke early, and dominated the first set, though Williams started to regain form in her last service game of the opener. Midway through the second set, it was the 31-year-old No. 5-ranked Chinese woman who appeared to run out of gas, allowing Serena to then run away with the match.

The win gives Williams a career-best 11 titles for the year, a win-loss record of 78-4, and a record-smashing $12.4 million in total prize money. (The previous record was set by Victoria Azarenka last year, with $7.9 million.)

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Photo credit: Aleksandr Osipov (Creative Commons License)

October 27, 2013
Serena Williams and Li Na Advance to WTA Championship Final

Serena Williams and Li Na have advanced to the final of the WTA Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.

Li Na beat Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-2 in just over an hour and a half.

Serena Williams won the first set against Jelena Jankovic 6-4, then played a distracted second set, getting broken twice, to lose it 2-6. In the third set, Williams was up a double break, and served for the match at 5-2, when Jankovic broke back, saving a match point, then proceeded to win the next two games. Williams finally closed out the match after serving for it a second time, closing it out 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Williams and Li Na will play the WTA Championship final on Sunday. It will begin not before 10 P.M. EDT.

October 26, 2013
Li Na, Kvitova and Errani Prevail on Day 4 of the WTA Championships

Li Na, Sara Errani, and Petra Kvitova win their matches on Day 4 of the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

(4) Li Na (CHN) d. (2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) — 6-2, 6-1
(6) Sara Errani (ITA) d. (7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) — 6-4, 6-4
(5) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. (8) Angelique Kerber (GER) — 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3

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Schedule of play for Saturday, October 26, 2013:

Center Court (Not Before 15.00hrs)

1. Li Na vs. Petra Kvitova
2. Serena Williams vs. Jelena Jankovic

October 26, 2013
Serena Williams, Kerber and Li Na Winners on Day 3 of WTA Championships

Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, and Li Na were the winners on Day 3 of the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (5) Petra Kvitova (CZE) — 6-2, 6-3
(8) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. (3) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) — 6-2, 6-2
(4) Li Na (CHN) d. (7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) — 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

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Schedule of play for Friday, October 25, 2013:

Center Court (from 17:00 hrs)

1. Victoria Azarenka vs. Li Na
2. Petra Kvitova vs. Angelique Kerber
3. Sara Errani vs. Jelena Jankovic

October 25, 2013
Li Na, Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams Victorious on Day 2 of WTA Championships

Li Na, Jelena Jankovic, and Serena Williams won their matches on the second day of the WTA Championships, in Istanbul, Turkey.

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d (3) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) — 6-2, 6-4
(4) Na Li (CHN) d (6) Sara Errani (ITA) — 6-3, 7-6 (5)
(7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d (2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) — 6-4, 6-3

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Schedule of play for Thursday, October 24, 2013:

Center Court (from 17:00 hrs)
1. Li Na vs. Jelena Jankovic
2. Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Angelique Kerber
3. Serena Williams vs. Petra Kvitova

October 24, 2013
Serena Williams, Kvitova and Azarenka Win Opening Matches at WTA Championships

Serena Williams, Petra Kvitova, and Victoria Azarenka won their opening matches today at the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

(2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d (6) Sara Errani (ITA) — 7-6 (4), 6-2
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d (8) Angelique Kerber (GER) — 6-3, 6-1
(5) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d (3) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) — 6-4, 6-4

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Schedule of play for Wednesday, October 23, 2013:

Center Court (from 17:00 hrs)
1. Li Na vs. Sara Errani
2. Victoria Azarenka vs. Jelena Jankovic
3. Serena Williams vs. Agnieszka Radwanska

October 23, 2013