For 7 of the [8] participants in this year’s WTA Tour Championship, the upcoming tournament will provide a final chance to dethrone Serena Williams and claim a major victory in 2013.  The most prestigious annual tournament outside of the traditional Grand Slam events, the WTA Tour Championship in Istanbul, Turkey is going to be a great way to cap off the year.

The Sinan Erdem Dome, home of the WTA Tour Championship!
Photo Credit: © Lis i Jakupsstovu

This most exclusive event only allows 8 participants each year, meaning that every match will be a heavyweight encounter featuring the top women in the game.  There’s no underdog hopeful story here; it’s the best against the best!

Serena Williams has been too strong for everyone else this year!
Photo Credit: ©Helsinborgs Dag-blad

Unfortunately, for most of the women here, Serena Williams is going to be heavily favored.  Of the participants, only Victoria Azarenka has beaten Williams this year, managing a decent 2-2 record in matches played (excluding a walkover victory for Williams early in the year).  She is the world’s greatest hope to upset the American in this tournament.

Can Victoria Azarenka rise up to the challenge?
Photo Credit: © Yann Caradec

None of the other women present won a single match against Williams this year.  The combined record of Williams vs. the other players (excluding Azarenka) is 11-0.  Now in her defense, Angelique Kerber has avoided playing Williams in 2013, meaning she has yet to lose to the supreme number 1!

But for Li Na, Sara Errani, Agnieszka Radwanska, Jelena Jankovic, Petra Kvitova, facing Williams has consistently meant the end of the road all year long.  Will any of them be able to contend in this WTA Tour Championship against such a dominant force?  The problem I see with most of these ladies is that they simply cannot compete with Williams’ power.  For all Radwanska’s ability to dart around the court, her strength is not there to match up competitively.

The 2012 WTA Championships WTA players. (L to R: Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, Li Na.
Photo Credit: © Xinhua/Ma Yan

Therefore, it seems the only woman with the skills and power to contend at this event (other than Serena Williams) will be Victoria Azarenka.  Let’s hope that both can reach the final match and provide a thrilling battle of tennis!  Individual tennis tickets for the WTA Tour Championship are still available and on sale!

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Nicholas Spiller

Nicholas Spiller has enjoyed the sport of tennis for many years.An enthusiast who covers all major sports, he finds tennis to be one of the most pleasant and inspirational games around to watch. He also spends his time as a musician in Los Angeles.

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