Venus Williams back in top 10 with Zhuhai title
Former World No. 1 Venus Williams made a long-awaited return to the WTA top 10 rankings by edging past Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 7-6(6) in the final of the WTA Elite Trophy tournament in Zhuhai on Sunday. This was the third title of the American’s impressive 2015 season and the 48th crown of her illustrious career.
12 players ranked between No. 9 and No. 20 were part of the season-ending event, held in China from November 2-8. Williams, who was the top seed, remained unbeaten at this tournament where she defeated the likes of Madison Keys and Saisai Zheng in the round robin, and US Open finalist Roberta Vinci in the semi-finals.
In the summit clash, she faced the young Czech Pliskova, who was playing her sixth final of the year. In the very first meeting between the two lanky, hard-hitting players, it was the experienced American who raced out to a 4-1 lead. The undeterred Pliskova, however, made a comeback to even the scores at 4-4.
Williams struck once more to grab the opening set 7-5.
In the second set, it was the 23-year-old who had the early advantage of 4-2. Venus broke back immediately afterwards and then enforced a tie-break where Pliskova had a mini-break of 4-2. The aggressive Czech even held a set point at 6-5 but that is where the former World No. 1’s game came alive once again.
With a couple of stinging forehand winners, she wrapped up the match and became Zhuhai’s first champion.
Oldest top 10 player since Navratilova
It is the return to the top 10 rankings that is more significant for the seven-time major winner than the title win. The 700 points she collected at this tournament will push her to No. 7 in the rankings, making the 35-year-old the oldest top 10 player since a then-38-year-old Martina Navratilova was ranked inside the top 10 in December, 1994.
“It’s a great thing to be Top 10 now with the level of the game, but I’m still very hungry. I’m ready for more. I’ve had so many experiences in tennis that I still expect a lot from myself. So I’m very happy to be moving forward, but I also want to continue, and not stop here,” said Williams after her win.
This is the first time since April 2011 that the elder Williams sister is in the top 10. The 41 victories that she compiled this season have been her highest number of wins since she won 50 in 2007.
After her diagnosis of the energy-sapping Sjogren’s Syndrome in August 2011, which left her out of action for seven months, her latest achievement is simply one more affirmation of the champion’s ever-inspiring fighting spirit and resilience.