Serena dethrones Venus in Doha

Serena Williams justified her status as world number one by defeating defending champion Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) in the final of the end-of-season WTA Tour Championships in Doha.

The final was a re-run of this year's Wimbledon final which the younger Williams sister also won in straight sets.

Both players came on court with strapping to their legs, unwanted souvenirs of tough seasons which have exacted their toll on two of the finest players the ladies' game has ever seen.

They deserve credit for being the last woman standing in a tournament which was blighted from injury-related withdrawals involving Dinara Safina, Vera Zvonareva and Victoria Azarenka.

The tone of the match was set in the third game when Serena broke with ease en-route to clinching the first set in under half an hour.

Venus spared some embarrassment for the tournament organisers by at least making a fist of the second set, fighting back from 1-5 down to force a tiebreak.

But 2009 has been Serena's year and the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion was not about to end the season with a whimper, wrapping up victory in the tiebreak with an ace and an Alpha-female forehand.

If the WTA decide to show leniency over her abuse of a line judge during the US Open semi-final then she will enjoy a perfect end to a near-perfect year.