WTA Tour Finals: Serena Williams vs Simona Halep match preview

A look ahead to the final of the WTA Championships

Serena Williams heads for defeat against Simona Halep (EPA)

There are different ways of getting where you want to be. Some have it the easy way, like Simona Halep who confidently reached final of the WTA Championships, beating Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-final in just 67 minutes.

Others have it the hard way, like Serena Williams, who was mentally and physically challenged by the in-from Caroline Wozniacki, in a gruelling three-set encounter.

What makes it even harder for the American is the fact she already lost to Halep this week. The Romanian upset the defending champion in the round robin stage, winning 6-0 6-2, handing William’s her worst defeat since 1998.

Some argue that the need for revenge is one of the best motivators, if that is the case in the final; we certainly will be in for a treat.

Williams is aiming to claim her third consecutive WTA Tour Finals title, while Halep fights for her first, on her tournament debut.

The winner will get $1,804,000 (£1,121,262) in prize money.

START: Sunday

PAST MEETINGS:

2014 Singapore (Hard) Halep won 6-0, 6-2

2013 Cincinnati (Hard), Williams won 6-0, 6-4

2013 Rome (Clay) Williams won 6-3, 6-0

STATS…

Williams has spent 212 weeks at world no.1, including the entire 2014 season.

2014 saw Simona Halep breaking into the top ten for the first time. She finished the 2013 season ranked 11.

Williams finished both the 2013 and 2014 seasons on top of the table, however she had 13,260 points at the end of last year compared to her current 7,146.

Williams, born on September 26, could be exactly ten years older than her opponent born on September 27; taking into account the time difference between the USA and Romania, their birth places.

ODDS…

Williams to win 1.53

Halep to win 2.68