Breaking Records: American Serena Williams beat Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Total Open, being contested in Doha this week, and with that returns to the No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings. When the list is released on Monday, February 18, Williams will become the oldest woman to hold the top spot since the computer rankings came into being in November 1975. This is the sixth time that Serena’ll hold the No. 1 spot, and nearly 11 years since she first reached the top, in July 2002.
“I never thought I would be here again,” said Williams following her win over Kvitova. “I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to get back to No.1. It has been a long road back and it’s a great feeling. It has been a lot of hard work but I don’t want to stop here.”
Serena’s Dress: Serena’s still wearing the same colorblocked Nike Grand Pleated Knit Dress that she wore during the Australian Open; the colorway is grand purple with electro orange and ultraviolet. Note the zigzag stitching in the upper portion of the dress. (Buy: Nike Grand Pleated Dress, $90)
Doha: The other three Qatar quarterfinals were Azarenka defeating Errani, Sharapova downing Stosur, and Aga Radwanska beating Caroline Wozniacki — all in straight sets. Serena’s was the only match that went to three sets. Tomorrow’s semifinals pit Vika against Radwanska and Sharapova against Serena. (Draw: Qatar Total Open 2013 Singles)
More stats: At 31 years, 4 months, 24 days, Williams becomes the oldest woman to hold the world No.1 ranking since the introduction of computer rankings in 1975. Previously, Chris Evert was 30 years, 11 months, 3 days when she last held the No.1 ranking the week ending Sunday, November 24, 1985.
SERENA’S WEEKS AT NO.1:
July 8, 2002 – August 10, 2003 – 57 weeks
September 8, 2008 – October 5, 2008 – 4 weeks
February 2, 2009 – April 19, 2009 – 11 weeks
October 12, 2009 – October 25, 2009 – 2 weeks
November 2, 2009 – October 10, 2010 – 49 weeks
February 18, 2013 – current No.1 – 1 week
OLDEST PLAYERS TO HOLD WORLD NO.1 SINCE 1975:
Serena Williams 31 years, 4 months, 24 days
Chris Evert 30 years, 11 months, 3 days (Nov 24, 1985)
Martina Navratilova 30 years, 9 months, 29 days (Aug 16, 1987)
Lindsay Davenport 29 years, 7 months, 8 days (Jan 29, 2006)
Serena Williams 29 years, 0 months, 14 days (Oct 10, 2010)
Steffi Graf 27 years, 9 months, 16 days (Mar 30, 1997)
(Photo Credit: Qatar Total Open 2013)
Leave a Reply