Venus advances to title match at WTA Finals

Venus Williams is one match away from ending her resurgent 2017 season in the highest of styles.

Venus on Saturday rallied from a set down to defeat Caroline Garcia, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the title match at the WTA Finals Singapore, the season-ending championships that annually feature the top eight women in the world.

At 37, Venus is the oldest player to reach the final at the WTA Finals. She plays Caroline Wozniacki in Sunday’s championship match; Williams is 7-0 lifetime against Wozniacki, having dropped just one of their 15 career sets. 

Williams won the WTA Finals in 2008 and reached the final in 2009.

“This tournament is one of the best, the top eight players in the world,” said Venus to the crowd after her victory over Garcia. “Nothing is easy, and to be standing in the winner’s circle, almost, is so amazing.”

Venus has enjoyed an outstanding 2017, having advance to the final at the Australian Open and Wimbledon and the semifinals at the US Open to climb back into the Top 5 of the world rankings for the first time since 2011. She has not, however, won a title this year – something she will look to rectify Sunday against the two-time US Open runner-up. 

“I’m going to be playing against one of the best players in the tournament, and another Caroline!” Venus said. “It’s going to be like déjà vu. But I’m really happy; she’s a great friend and I’m really happy that one of us will win tomorrow.”

Ed. Note: Venus fell to Wozniacki in the final, 6-4, 6-4