Williams wins title

(Rank/Seed)

1/1 Williams was just too good against 2008 champion (11/8) Jankovic, winning the match 62 62 to claim the 56th title of her career, 10th title of the year (the most since Henin in 2007) and her second in Beijing, alongside 2004.

1st Set
Williams looked nervous early on as she saved a break point in her opening service game to hold. Jankovic was defending superbly but narrowly missed out on her opening service game as Williams won the important points. Williams was at her most effective in the forecourt, hitting 17 winners during the set, plenty of them on drive volleys. In contrast, she hit only 13 unforced errors. Jankovic meanwhile was naturally more conservative, with only 4 winners to 8 unforced errors. Serena, content to serve consistently as opposed to quickly had a 71% first serve percentage and held her last two service games to love before breaking Jelena for a second time.

2nd Set
Jankovic threatened to take control as she broke serve for the first time in the 3rd game, after Williams had saved two more break points with aces. Williams appeared to be bothered by the same back injury that had plagued her all week, but surprisingly it was Jankovic who took a lengthy injury time out due to a hip problem. On resumption, Jankovic was serving noticeably slower and Williams began to pull away, despite her erratic backhand. Williams claimed the win on her 3rd match point off a familiar Jankovic forehand error. Williams finished with a winner error ratio of 29:29, whilst Jankovic struggled towards the end, her ratio being a somewhat unsightly 9:24! It was Williams's 7th win in 11 against Jankovic.