24 Oct 2012

Wins for Williams and Radwanska

8:20 am on 24 October 2012

The American tennis player Serena Williams survived an injury scare to make a winning start in her bid to cap a brilliant comeback season by regaining the WTA Championship title in the tour's season-end event in Istanbul.

The Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic champion appeared to pull a gluteal muscle in the first set while attempting a vigorous retrieve, but played through the discomfort to beat German Angelique Kerber in straight sets.

Kerber is making her debut in the top eight event.

In the days other matches Auckland-bound Agnieszka Radwanska beat defending champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets and Maria Sharapova beat Sara Errani in straight sets.