• WTA Finals

Williams comes through Wozniacki epic

Serena Williams was far from vintage but turned it around to beat good friend Caroline Wozniacki © Getty Images

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Serena Williams will meet Simona Halep in the WTA Finals championship match after battling to a three-sets victory against Caroline Wozniacki on Saturday.

A thrilling encounter ensued between good friends Williams and Wozniacki in Singapore. Wozniacki had served for the match in the third set and led 4-1 in the tie-break but Williams finished strongest to win 3-6 6-3 7-6(6).

"Caroline played a great match, it was really difficult today. I feel so bad," said Williams. "She's the only one undefeated [after the group stages] in this tournament and she deserved to win."

Simona Halep beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-2 © Getty Images

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She added: "It was the first match I didn't feel great - if you take Venus out of the equation - where I wasn't happy after I won.

"I really wanted to cry because Caro is so nice, we get along and we do so much together. She's like my little baby sister, from a different mother, and father, and different country."

Wozniacki said: "Being so close and still losing, it really sucks. It was just small things, but that is why champions are champions. All of them step up when it matters."

Next up for Williams is the woman who handed the American her worst loss in 16 years three days ago, when Halep thrashed her 6-0 6-2 in the group stage.

"My goal is to win three games," Williams quipped.

However, it appears that Williams will have a task on her hands with Halep in brutal form as she crushed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-2 in just an hour and seven minutes on Saturday.

"I'm not afraid again to play against Serena," Halep said.

It was confirmed Williams would end the season as world No.1 on Friday as Maria Sharapova bowed out of the finals, but it was from vintage from the American in the opening set.

Serena Williams received a warning from the umpire after repeatedly smashing her racquet in frustration © Getty Images

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Wozniacki quickly broke the Williams serve to establish a 3-0 lead and when the Dane held to move within a game of winning the first set, her opponent's frustrations got the better of her.

Williams smashed her racket on the court before Wozniacki broke again to seal the first set 6-2 in just 26 minutes. However, the tables quickly turned as Williams forced her way back into the tie, completing the turnaround with a 6-3 triumph in the second to force the decider.

The final set took a marathon 76 minutes to complete. The opening eight games went with serve before Wozniacki finally found the breakthrough to move 5-4 up. However, she failed to hold back the Williams storm as the American hit back with several fine winners to immediately level.

Williams brought up match point when 6-5 up on the Wozniacki serve, but a superb rally was ended with a Wozniacki volleyed winner which was rewarded with a standing ovation from the crowd.

Deservedly, the match was settled on a tie-break. Wozniacki let slip a 4-1 lead and, after failing to take two match points at 6-4 and 6-5, Williams produced a forehand return to draw the error and secure her place in Sunday's championship match.

Asked about her angry outburst in the first set, Williams said: "I don't know how many times I hit it, but boy, that racquet will never do me wrong again, I tell you.

"It was definitely legendary. I kind of lost my cool a little bit. I thought, well, at least you know I'm passionate. I give 200%.

"When I play, doesn't matter how I feel, I'm going to give everything I have for every shot and every point."

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