WTA - Williams sisters dominated down under while the chinese jump for joy

At the Brisbane International, the semi final everybody was talking about was the potential blockbuster match between Maria Sharapova and top seed Serena Williams. In a match that was far from free of errors, the top seed edge her way to the final win a 62 76 (9-7) victory. During the match Williams just landed 40% of her first serves in along with 7 aces and 7 double faults. Meanwhile Sharapova also produce eight double faults. After the match at a press conference Williams seemed to be harmonising her relationship with Sharapova after numerous media reports of tension between the two throughout 2013. She said:-
"It'll be a good match to see where we both stand."She's so intense on court; off court she's so cool, there's a lot of mutual respect."

The is now Williams 14^th consecutive victory against Sharapova with the Russian beating her last at the 2004 Tour Championships. Many players would be dishearten by this figure but Sharapova saw the funny side to it by saying to reporters after the match:-
“i just found 14 way how not to win”.

In the final Williams will play second seed Victoria Azarenka after her 16 63 64 win over Jelena Jankovic. Azarenka got off to the worst start possible by losing the first set in under 30 minutes however she regained her rhythm taking the second set 63 and raced to a safety net scoreline of 5-1 in the third which was just enough to secure her win. Reviewing her own match Azarenka said quoting foxnews.com:-
"I felt that I could have done better, but it's just the matter of getting that timing and really fighting through it. I was able to change it around in the second set." 

 

Serena isn't the whole reason why the Williams family will be celebrating this week after older sister Venus beat Spain's Garbine Muguruza 63 63 at the ASB classic. Williams who is currently ranked only 47 due to numerous issues will face second seed Anna Ivanovic who dismissed her Belgian rival Kirsten Flipkens in orderly fashion 60 76. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald on her final against Williams, Ivanovic said:-
"I have struggled against both Serena and Venus in the past because they have a big serve and sometimes that's overwhelming to see that coming at you,'' "Over the years you get used to it a bit, you mature and handle the situations differently.

"There's no doubt it's going to be a very tough match and it's a matter of still doing the things I've been working on and trying to impose my game.''

Finally in China there was delight for the home crowd when the outcome of the semi finals lead to a all Chinese final. Firstly top seed Li Na eased to the final with a easy 61 63 win against Germany's Annika Beck. In the Final she will fellow countrywoman Peng Suai who has a walkover against Vania King. King who has had a good run in the tournament pulled out of the match due to a thigh injury.