Flawless Venus Powers Into Final

Posted: Nov 11, 2015

ZHUHAI, China – An on-fire Venus Williams overpowered Roberta Vinci in 65 minutes to reach the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai final. It was her milestone 40th match win of the year.

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The last time the two played there was almost nothing separating them – Williams actually had to fight off a match point to beat Vinci in the semifinals of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open a month ago.

But this time it was one-way traffic from start to finish, as the No.1-seeded Williams unleashed big serves and groundstrokes into the corners time and time again to completely overpower the No.4-seeded Vinci, breaking serve six times – including in the final game – en route to a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

“Wow, first final here – I’m very honored to be in the first final in Zhuhai!” Williams said in her on-court interview after the match. “Today wasn’t an easy match – every game was really well-contested and she never gave me any points. She’s had a great year; I felt like I really earned the win today.”

Williams not only improved to 5-0 lifetime against Vinci, but this was also her 40th match win of the year – a milestone she hasn’t hit since all the way back in 2008 (when she had 40 total for the year).

Nine of those wins have come in China – six to win the Wuhan title, three so far in Zhuhai.

“China’s been good to me this year!” Williams said. “I played well in Wuhan, and now another final here in Zhuhai, and I hope I can win one more match. It won’t be easy – I’m looking forward to it.”

And what does the seven-time Grand Slam champion think of the tournament, which is in its first year?

“It’s just an experience for the players – this has been amazing,” Williams said. “Of course, the participation from the fans is another amazing moment. And engagement of the city. Again, amazing.

“So all of these things are happening perfectly, and it can only get better, which is awesome.”

Williams will be playing in the 78th WTA final of her career. She’s 47-30 in the first 77.

Vinci’s 2015 season is now finished, but what a finish it was. Having gone into the US Open with a 21-20 record and ranked No.43, the Italian will now finish well inside the Top 20 thanks largely to three huge results – her first Grand Slam final in Flushing Meadows and semifinals in Wuhan and here.