Venus Williams has finally ended a wait of almost three years after her last singles trophy success, with the former No. 1 winning her 44th career title through a defeat of Monica Niculescu in Luxembourg 6-2, 6-3. It was in Acapulco in February, 2010, that the American last lifted a singles trophy prior to her 2011 diagnosis with fatigue illness.
Williams is keeping pace with younger sister Serena, standing just one title behind her sibling, who is playing this week in the WTA year-end event in Istanbul. After cracking the longest drought between titles in her career, Williams was more than pleased.
“Coming to the tournament this week I was just trying to play well. I didn’t know if I could win this event, so to stand here as the winner is a wonderful way for me to end the year,” said the 32-year-old who started the week standing outside the top 40 but has renewed hopes as she looks to 2013.
“It really makes me look forward to next year as well. My main goal coming here was to make the Top 32 and be seeded going into the Australian Open.
“I hope I’m somewhere in the Top 32 now. But wherever I end up, it’s just very rewarding to win here after facing a lot of challenges.”
Williams improved to 44-27 in WTA finals.
©Daily Tennis News Wire
Topics: American tennis news, Luxembourg Open, Monica Niculescu, Sports, Venus Williams