Venus, You Legend!

Photo credit: AFP

I don’t have the words to fully describe what Venus is doing in Dubai this week. She’s turned back all opponents with such ease: Vesnina, Ivanovic, Pennetta, and now Wozniacki - all straight set victories.

When both Serena and Venus reached the semis, it seemed an all-Williams final was a certainty provided Venus could beat Caroline. With Serena’s shocking loss to Cornet, now Venus has a clearer path to a first title in well over a year.

This is V’s second final of 2014, after losing the Auckland title match to Ivanovic. Despite a first round loss at the Australian Open, she’s turned in a really solid start to the season. Of course, we know that her Sjogren’s could rear its ugly head at any point, but this is such a fantastic run!

If she beats Cornet tomorrow, Venus will be on the cusp of cracking the top-30 once more. Given her current form and obvious pedigree, a return to the top-10 now looks like a real possibility by year’s end.

One of my wishes for 2014 was a tournament win for Venus. How amazing that it might happen at an event of the calibre of Dubai? Yes, she’s won it the last two times she played (‘09 & ‘10), but this would still be such a pleasant surprise. What’s more is that she’s oh so deserving of the success she’s had this week, and hopefully will have going forward.

Venus, you are a legend and an inspiration. Good luck tomorrow, I’ll be rooting for you!