Defending champion Serena Williams opened the WTA Finals with her 16th consecutive victory at the end-of-season tournament.
The
world number one was given a tough match by her Australian Open
conqueror Ana Ivanovic but proved the stronger at the end of each set to
win 6-4, 6-4.
The
tournament is making its debut in Singapore after moving from Istanbul
but a different venue could not stop the run of four-time champion
Williams, who was a doubt for the tournament with a knee injury.
Williams plays a forehand during her straight sets, but not straightforward, victory in Singapore on Monday
Williams at full stretch as she tries desperately to reach for a return against Ivanovic on Monday
Ivanovic
fought back well in the opening set from 4-1 and two break points down
to level at 4-4, and should have made it four games in a row.
But
she missed a volley on break point, Williams held and then broke the
take the set when Ivanovic, who struggled with her serve throughout,
double-faulted.
Ivanovic
stayed with her fired-up opponent in the second set until she served at
4-5, when again Williams seized her opportunity to clinch victory.
Speaking
on BT Sport, Williams said: 'I'm really excited with how I played. I
couldn't be happier to be playing here in Singapore. I was fighting
really hard. Ana played so well. I think I'm losing my voice from saying
so many 'Come ons'.'
Williams (left) and Ivanovic (right) shake hands after the conclusion of the match on Monday
Williams waves to the crowd, and afterwards revealed her relief at overcoming the challenge
In the other match in the red group, Simona Halep easily defeated fellow debutante Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-3.
Both
players started nervously but, while Halep quickly settled into her
rhythm, 20-year-old Bouchard was error-prone throughout.
It was sweet revenge for French Open runner-up Halep after she lost to Bouchard in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
The
first matches in the white group take place on Tuesday, with Maria
Sharapova facing Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova taking on
Agnieszka Radwanska.
In the other reg group match, Eugenie Bouchard lost out to Simona Halep 6-2, 6-3
Bouchard tosses the ball for a serve during her match on Monday, in Singapore
Romanian Halep plays a forehand on her way to a straight sets victory over Bouchard in Singapore
Halep makes a dramatic entrance to the court at the season-ending WTA Finals at the Singapore Sports Hub
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