She's Simply The Best

It should come to no surprise that Serena Williams is considered by many the best player in the world. However, the all time great wastes no opportunity to remind everyone just how good she really is.

Having dominated the second half of the season, Serena took time out after her Flushing Meadow triumph to regroup after a busy summer. Judging by the superbly toned body she displayed when she walked the red carpet at the WTA Championships in Istanbul, it seems she had worked out intensely in the break, wowing everyone with her stunning look. The extremely fit American started slow, but she quickly proved she's no match for her opponents. She recorded relatively easy wins over Angelique Kerber and Na Li, securing thus a semifinal berth. In a battle that would determine the red group winner, Serena faced her biggest threat, world number 1 Victoria Azarenka. As she does on so many dangerous occasions, Williams lifted her game. Relying on her booming serve, she got herself out of trouble, dismissing the Belorussian 6-4,6-4 to state her authority over women's tennis.

In the semis, in a rematch of the Wimbledon final earlier this year, Serena took full advantage of a physically drained Radwanska to clinch her place in the grand finale. Hoping to end a magnificent 2012 on a high, the American was utterly determined to add a third WTA Championships crown to her impressive resume. Playing at the best of her abilities, she gave Maria Sharapova no chance at all. Although the Russian improved since they last met in the Olympic final, she could not cope with her opponent's inspired display. Struggling on her serve, Sharapova eventually bowed out 4-6,3-6.

"I wanted it so bad, but I didn't want to say it," confessed an excited Serena. "For my own sanity I really wanted it, even though I didn't need it. I really wanted to end on a good note." Having won basically all the big prizes since the French Open, the younger Williams looks set to challenge Azarenka for the No. 1 ranking in 2013. 

Serena Williams proved she was no match at the moment, winning the WTA Championships in Istanbul without losing a set all week. In the final she beat Russian Maria Sharapova 6-4,6-3 to claim her third title at the event.

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