Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Much has happened in the five years since Venus Williams last won as prestigious a title as the Wuhan Open but the 35 year-old’s Chinese triumph means she now has an excellent chance of keeping the family name in the draw for the upcoming WTA Finals in Singapore.

Williams’ win in the WTA Premier 5 event is her biggest win since winning the similarly ranked Dubai Duty Free title in 2010 and now she is aiming for more glory in this week’s China Open in Beijing.

The victory will move Venus up to eighth place in the Road to Singapore, discounting her ranking topping sister Serena who declared last week that she will not play again for the remainder of 2015.

“I feel like everyone else on tour, I work hard, I do my best and as long as you continue to work hard and believe in yourself then you can have the results you want,” insisted Williams who was the oldest player in the Wuhan draw and most certainly had a week to remember, also passing the 700 career singles victory landmark.

Williams has not contested the year-ending finale to the women’s tour since 1969 and she continued: “That’s exactly what I’ve done and it hasn’t been the easiest road but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a road worth traveling.”

Despite being diagnosed to be suffering from Sjogren’s Syndrome four years ago, Williams was still strong and fit enough to come through a couple of tough matches against Britain’s Johanna Konta in the quarterfinal and US Open runner-up Roberta Vinci in the semi had to dig deep into her compromised levels of stamina. “I didn’t think of quitting but it’s definitely a lot of stress to play when you’re in pain,” she said.

However she was given an easier ride in the final as Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza was forced to retire with an injured ankle when trailing 6-3 3-0.  “For me I focus on everything that I can accomplish and not on what’s bothering me,” continued Williams. “My opponent wasn’t so lucky today. The pain was just too much for her and I was really sorry to hear that.”

“Maybe experience helped me today. I know today she couldn’t do everything that she wanted to do. She couldn’t feel free and comfortable on the court. Of course it’s not always as exciting playing an opponent who doesn’t feel their best so I hope that she gets better.”

Now there is little time to rest and recharge. “I absolutely do want to play in Beijing,” maintained Williams. “I want to do everything I can to be ready to play and I want to be as close to 100% as possible, that’s the goal.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.