SINGAPORE: Serena Williams shook off the rust and a feisty challenge from Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic to open the defence of her WTA Finals title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the opening match of the elite eight-player tournament on Monday.

In the second match, Romania’s Simona Halep joined Serena at the top of the Red Group standings after the world number four brushed aside Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-3 on the purple hardcourt at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium.

“I am really excited with how I played tonight. I have been working hard all my life for nights like this and I love it. So thank you for coming tonight,” Serena said at a courtside.

Halep said, “I played really well and am so happy that I was able to find my game again. I stayed aggressive and got plenty of winners but she’s a great player, very young and has a big future ahead of her.”

Published in Dawn, October 21st , 2014