Faulty serve fails to faze slick Serena Williams at WTA Championships

By EVE FODENS
Published on 25/10/2012 01:01

Serena Williams proved at the WTA Championships that even when her serve is malfunctioning, she can still see off a top player. Williams beat 2011 French Open champion Li Na of China 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 for her second win in round-robin matches to close in on the semi-finals at the tournament for the top eight players in the world.

In another Red Group encounter, top-ranked Victoria Azarenka saved two match points before rallying past
Angelique Kleber of Germany 6-7 (11), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in her first match at the event.

Williams had six double-faults and won only 51 per cent of points on her first serve. But Li also struggled on serve – there were eight breaks in the first set and three more in the second. “My serve just didn’t go in. Every time I got my first serve in, I was surprised,” Williams said. “But knowing I was able to still, for me, zero serve compared to how I normally serve - I think it’s something good I can take out of the match.”

The highest ranking Williams can achieve at the end of the year is No 2 because of injuries and missed tournaments.

Defending champion Petra Kvitova withdrew from the tournament because of a viral illness and was replaced by Samantha Stosur.