Russia's Dinara Safina hobbled out of the WTA Championships, surrendering the year-end world number one ranking to Serena Williams in the process. Williams then celebrated the landmark by beating sister Venus 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), sending the defending champion to a second defeat in two days which leaves her on the brink of exiting the 4.55 million dollar tournament.

The 23-year-old Safina yesterday quit her opening match against Jelena Jankovic with a lower back injury with the score at 1-1 in the first set and after only 13 minutes on court.

"My body just gave up, and I couldn't handle the pain anymore," said Safina, who had gone back to the top of the rankings on Monday, but only with a 155-point lead on Williams. The American won her opener in this 4.55 million dollar event on Tuesday against Svetlana Kuznetsova, and then added more ranking points by defeating Venus.

"It's a great feeling but I feel really sorry for Dinara. She's a great player and never gives up," said Serena, who was also the year-end number one in 2002.

"It's a shame for the tournament that she couldn't get through to the final."

Organisers said that fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva, the 2008 runner-up, would take Safina's place in the competition. Safina said she had started feeling the inflammation in her lower back on her way to her third title of 2009 in Portoroz in July, but had been determined to keep playing to stay on course for the year-end top spot.

... contd.