Venus Williams' amazing run came to an end on Friday after the former world's no.1 bowed out to Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova 3-6 6-3 7-6 (2) in the semifinal of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Williams, who made the headlines just days ago following her upset win over Victoria Azarenka in the second round, has been showing a glimpse of her old self throughout the tournament, and Friday's semis battle with Kvitova was not an exception.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion dropped the opening set, but responded big in the second set to force a decider. Williams and Kvitova exchanged in a series of rallies and beautiful winners in the third set, but the Czech just came through with crucial shots in the tie-breaker.
"I was probably a little tired, but I don't think it affected the match," Williams said in the post-match interview according to Reuters. "She was probably a little tired, too, since she played two matches yesterday (Thursday)."
"At the end, she played amazing in the tiebreaker. I don't think I'm at my best off the ground yet. My serve has improved tremendously with each match here. She hit a lot of unreturnable shots in the tiebreaker and sometimes that happens. She just played great," added Venus, who went through several injuries this season.
Kvitova, who reached the semis of the Pan Pacific Open in 2011, will have a chance to bag the title on Saturday against fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany. Kerber punched her way to the championship match after defeating another former world's No.1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 7-6 (5).
Meanwhile, Serena Williams will finish the 2013 season as the No.1 player in the WTA Tour. It will be the third time Williams ended the calendar atop the WTA rankings after doing such feat in 2002 and 2009.
With this accomplishment, Williams joined Justine Henin (three), Martina Hingis (three), Lindsay Davenport (four), Chris Evert (five), Martina Navratilova (seven) and Steffi Graf in finishing at least three seasons at No.1.
For more Venus & Serena Williams and other Tennis News update, read more at Latinos Post Sports
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