Nonchalant Serena closes in on return to top spot

Serena Williams needs only one more win to become world No 1 for the first time in 2 1/2 years after reaching the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open in double quick time on Thursday.

It took the 15-time Grand Slam title winner less than an hour to complete a 6-0, 6-3 win over Urszula Radwanska, the world No 37 from Poland, and to take herself to the brink of another remarkable achievement.

A year ago, after a series of injuries, Williams' career seemed in danger. Now, after triumphs at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympics, and struggling against ankle and back injuries and a cold this week, she is almost back to where many believe she deserves to be - at the top again.

Williams was not allowing her feelings to distract her, however, offering a smokescreen of anti-climactic words to avoid sharing premature pleasure with the crowd.

"Not really", she said, when asked if she wasthinking about becoming No 1.

"I am so over it. It's like everyone is thinking about it. I have a really tough opponent. It is what it is."

Later, however, Williams' mood altered a little.

Asked what she thought of the prospect of becoming the oldest player to reach the top ranking again, she said: "It's awesome. Since I didn't do the youngest, I figure I'll do the oldest."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/16/2013 page15)