Monday 20 October 2014 20:47, UK
Serena Williams secured her 16th consecutive victory at the season-ending WTA Finals after surviving a stern test from Ana Ivanovic to triumph 6-4 6-4 in the Red Group.
Williams came into the finals after injuries forced her out of her previous two outings and following Russian official Shamil Tarpischev's disparaging comments about her and sister Venus.
The top-ranked Williams was shaky in her opening service game, saving two break points, but still took a 4-1 lead. Former world No 1 Ivanovic got back on serve but lost the first set when she double-faulted at 15-40 in the final game, one of seven double-faults in total.
Ivanovic broke Williams to open the second set but the 18-time Grand Slam champion immediately broke back and took control, improving her career record against the Serbain to 8-1.
Before the WTA Finals, Williams retired from the China Open and Wuhan Open because of illness and a left knee injury that had her in doubt for Singapore.
But, with the win over Ivanovic, she has now closed in on Martina Navratilova's record of 21 straight wins at the season-ending tournament and remains unbeaten at the event since 2011.
Williams is also trying to become the first woman to win the season finale three times in a row, as well as securing her fourth year-end world No 1 ranking ahead of Maria Sharapova.
"I was just trying to fight as hard as I could, as you could see," said the 33-year-old US Open champion. "I think I've been losing my voice from saying so many 'Come-ons'."
Of course she's the best player in the world and I have nothing to lose. I'll try to play my game and to fight for every point.
Romania's Simona Halep comfortably defeated Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-3 in the second group match.
In a clash of the only two players making their first appearance at the season-ending championships, Halep lost only four points when getting her first serve into play.
Canada's Bouchard was well below her best, racking up 30 unforced errors against 11 from Halep.
It was sweet revenge for French Open runner-up Halep after she lost to Bouchard in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
"I played really well, I'm really happy I found my game again," said Halep, who will face Williams in her next match.
"Of course she's the best player in the world and I have nothing to lose. I'll try to play my game and to fight for every point," she said.
In Tuesday's White Group matches, Maria Sharapova takes on Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova faces Agnieszka Radwanska.
