An exhausting semifinal victory over former top-ranked Jelena Jankovic would seem like an indication that Serena Williams will encounter trouble at the WTA Championships final and she did but being a great champion that she is, the American dug deep and won an exciting women’s final in Istanbul after defeating China’s Li Na 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
Fourth-seed Li Na was at her element in the first, producing winners to surge for a 4-1 lead. She would go on to win the opening set. It seemed like the Chinese tennis star was headed to earn an early lead in the second set after setting up break points but Williams fought all of them which somehow shifted the momentum of the match. After a 3-3 scoreline in the second set, Williams would go on to win the next nine games to successfully defend the year-end championships event.
“I don’t know how I got through that one,” Williams said. “I’ve just had a really long year, and I’m just really excited, honestly. I really didn’t expect to get through this match today. Wow, thank God.
“I can’t believe I won. I was so tired. Honestly, did I really win? Because she played so well,” she added.
Williams has set a record at this event. She became the oldest-ever champion at the WTA Championships at 32 years and one month. She’s the first player since Martina Hingis (12) in 1997 to win 11 WTA titles or more. For winning the Istanbul event, Williams accumulated a total of $12,385,572 in prize money this year, the all-time record for the women’s tour. The money is the third-highest singles season prize money in tennis history. She only trails Novak Djokovic’s haul in 2011 and 2012.
“I’m just overjoyed, to be honest,” Williams added. “It’s really awesome. It’s such a special moment. To finish the year No.1 in the world and win this title after 40 years of the WTA, it means even more.”
