Black Tennis Pros

American Venus Williams unable to continue her run in Bangkok as Italy's Flavia Pennetta stops her with a 6-4, 7-6 win to reach the Bangkok Open final on Saturday.

Pennetta held her nerve as Venus launched a determined fightback, the Italian emerging victorious in a marathon second set tiebreak to end her opponent's hopes of reaching a third straight WTA final.

"She played really well, she was eager," a sombre-looking Williams told reporters. "I made a lot of errors, a lot of mistakes. She did a good job of staying in the match.

"I wasn't surprised by her, she's capable of playing well."

Pennetta, world no. 49 said, "I was against such a great player. I just had to go for it, because anything can happen."

The seventh seed unleashed some powerful serves and venomous groundstrokes and chased everything the lofty American threw at her, breaking serve at 5-4 to take the first set.

Pennetta broke her opponent at 2-2 in the second and with the help of a succession of double faults and sloppy returns from Williams, opened up a comfortable 4-2 cushion.

However, the winner of 36 WTA titles came straight back, whacking a series of topspin-loaded forehands to turn the match around and move ahead 6-5.

Pennetta levelled to force a tense tiebreak, which she clung on win 10-8, punching the air with both fists and breathing a huge sigh of relief.

"That was one of the most beautiful wins of my career," Pennetta told reporters.

"When she came back, I started to think I'd lost my chance to win. I knew it would be a tough match. I was a little nervous but I played good tennis."

Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Venus Williams
Bangkok Open Flavia Pennetta

The swift and powerful racquet of American Venus Williams blazed by Frenchwoman Camille Pin so fast that she could only hold 2 games out of 14 played. Venus body slammed Camille 6-1, 6-1 at the Bangkok Open today.

"The score looked easy but it was not. Every time I hit good shots she hit back," Williams said. "I tried not to make easy errors and make my shots." What a modest woman.

Interestingly, Camille Pin had a good serving day. She had a service rate of 87% to Venus's 58%. But it was obviously the only thing that she did right, and it was nowhere near good enough against the world no. 8 player.

Next potential victim for Venus? Flavia Penetta of Italy.

"What can I say about her, she's a great player, a champion," Pennetta said. "It's going to be a tough match," she added.

Guard your grill Flavia!

After a rain delay prevented American Venus Williams from completing her 6-2, 4-1 first round match against Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, Venus came out today rockin' an outfit from her 'EleVen' line and wrapped up that match 6-2, 6-2.

A little later in the day Venus played her second round match against the home player Tamarine Tanasugarn of Bangkok, Thailand, and quickly dismissed her 6-4, 6-1 in a 74 minute match.

"She played aggressive and went for her shots trying to do the best for the fans. But I t take control of the match and I'm happy that I closed her out,"ried to said Williams.

Frenchwoman Camille Pin is up next, "guard your grill Camille, Venus is on a mission!"

American Venus Williams had her foot on the throat of the game of Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki. At 6-2, 4-1 play was suspended due to rain. The two will continue their match on Thursday.

Round 1 - Singles

Serena Williams, USA vs Bye

Kremlin Cup site click here








Round 1 - Singles

Venus Williams, USA vs Caroline Wozniacki DEN

Bangkok Open site click here