Venus Williams: Victorious In Doha

Venus Williams bolts like a high-strung racing filly: with long legs and a skittish reaction to aggression.  Standing over six feet, Venus has an incredible wing span of 1.85m and moves with grace and strength.

Her serve has been clocked at 130 miles per hour—with such power a product of height, speed and timing.

She personifies dignity and grace, with her emotions tucked safely from view and her desire to win under control. Having grown up on the courts of the world, Venus has represented her sport and her country admirably, at times in the face of adversity.

Her range and foot speed allow Venus typically to dominate her opponents, especially on grass where her game and playing style coalesce into an unbeatable combination.

Today the former world number one won her first WTA Tour Championship by defeating Vera Zvonareva in Doha.  She made it exciting, as Venus often does, by surviving in a three set contest 6-7, 6-0, 6-2.  The win marks Venus' 39th career title. 

The tournament in Doha on Sunday came down to a matter of attrition.  Both Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic pulled out with ailments and injuries after losses in the earlier rounds. 

The top eight women on the WTA Tour participated. 

Venus, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, as well as her sister, Serena, were drawn into the Maroon group along with Dinara Safina and Elenea Dementieva. 

The White group included Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva. 

Zvonareva, ranked lowest as number nine in the world, was an unexpected finalist as she survived her round robin contests undefeated.  Because Maria Sharapova is injured, Zvonareva made into the event. 

Venus played stellar tennis in her group.  She appeared to be on a mission throughout this tournament and into the match against Zvonareva.

However, the Russian started strong, breaking the American's serve immediately and seeming to control the first set. Serving at 5-3, she choked and Venus found herself back in the contest.

The first set went to a tie-break.  Venus was in command with a 5-1 lead when she collapsed and allowed the Russian to escape with the opening set after blistering Venus with six straight points.

The conclusion of the set did not please Venus.  She stormed through the next set, bagelling Zvonareva 6-0. 

Venus finished the match with a 6-2 final set.  Relieved, she explained, "Sometimes it goes your way and all of a sudden it comes crashing down but I thought 'it is not over yet'—that's the thing about tennis!" 

Venus, winner of five Wimbledon titles, is looking forward to 2009 when the new ranking system for the WTA will be in effect—a ranking system that guarantees emphasis on quality rather than quantity. 

It is well known that the Williams sisters don't play many tournaments but they are always in contention when they do play.  The new system should help both.

Zvonareva had an excellent tournament, although she was disappointed in the final, feeling she had not played her best. 

The last women's event of the season has concluded in Doha.  It has been an unusual year, to say the least, with Justine Henin retiring from tennis while holding the No. 1 ranking. 

The rest of 2008 found the women's field playing hot-potato with the ranking—from Henin to Ivanovic, to Jankovic, to Serena Williams and back to Jankovic, who has yet to win a Major. 

Since Wimbeldon, Maria Sharapova has spent most of the year sidelined with a shoulder injury.  She is hopeful to return at the Australian Open. 

Venus is looking forward to 2009.  At age 28, she seems to be re-energized.  Holder of 16 Grand Slam titles—seven singles, seven doubles and two mixed doubles—she feels this is the year to add to her totals. 

If the tournament in Doha is any indication, Venus will continue to be a considerable factor in 2009 race.