Serena overpowers Venus to claim WTA Championship title

SERENA Williams celebrated finishing the season as the world number one in style by romping to the WTA Championship title in Doha, Qatar.

TOO STRONG: Serena Williams ends the season in style with victory over Venus in Doha

The 11-time grand slam winner powered her way to her fourth consecutive victory over sister and defending champion Venus Williams to take the $1.55m jackpot in the Middle East with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win.

Serena was in dominant form in the opening set and raced into a 6-2 lead, and while Venus battled back in the second set, the younger sibling wrapped up victory by claiming a second-set tie-break.

"It feels good," said Serena. "I totally didn't expect to win here because I didn't think things were going very well in training before coming here.

"And it's always hard playing against Venus in the final. Even though she was not feeling great she just keeps getting the ball back and it can be really frustrating.

"It feels great to win here, especially as it's a tournament win that isn't a grand slam. I haven't won a tournament like for a while."

The key to Serena's victory was the unwavering dominance of her serve. She lost just five points against it in the first set, and just two in the second prior to the tie-break.

And while Venus, as we have come to expect, refused to throw in the towel, Serena confirmed herself as the best player in the world with victory and in doing so claimed her second WTA Championships title, eight years after her first.