Venus Williams registers first win at WTA finals with gritty victory over Jelena Ostapenko

Venus Williams registered her first win of the WTA Finals in Singapore with a gritty performance against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

The 20-year-old Latvian had saved a match point in the second set to take the match to a third set shoot-out but, in an error-strewn encounter, could not gather enough momentum to beat her 37-year-old rival.

The match witnessed 21 breaks of serve in total with Williams finally getting over the line after three hours and 13 minutes on court with a 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 victory. 

3:56PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

A winner from Venus' forehand wing gets the 37-year-old up and running. She shows great length on the next point to force the error and then sends down an ace which has Ostapenko seemingly walking before the ball has landed. Three match points now and Ostapenko saves the first with a winner down the line. Surely Venus can't blow her lead from here? She doesn't. Finally, she gets over the line with a backhand winner across the court. There's an amicable hand shake at the net but not too much love between these two. GAME, SET, MATCH: WILLIAMS BEATS OSTAPENKO 7-5, 6-7, 7-5

3:51PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-7, 6-5 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Just when Ostapenko looks to be moving well and hitting cleanly, the errors creep back. Venus won't mind how the points come now as she looks to secure another break. A wayward reply from Ostapenko moves Venus to two break points and now the momentum is back with the world No 5. But wait, she dumps into the net when well placed and grimaces again. There's been plenty of that this afternoon. Another error, this time from a low volley allows Ostapenko to fight another day. And when Venus can't get down low and under the next return, this game has swung back in the Latvian's favour. But wait, could this be the final twist? Ostapenko is forced to go wide to hand Venus another break point but finally some quality as Ostapenko strikes a sublime winner on the charge. That's got the crowd involved and got some of them on their feet. Venus replies in the only way she knows how, striking her own winner back past the young pretender. Venus has the break when she draws another error and now Venus will serve for victory after the changeover. But then we've said that so often this afternoon. WILLIAMS BREAKS. 

3:43PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7, 5-5 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Three hours now on the clock as Ostapenko fires down a service return down the line to cause Venus another headache. She can't sustain the pressure as Venus serves soundly, including a timely ace to take a comfortable hold.

3:40PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-7, 4-5 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

And still the double faults keep a coming. That's now eight for Ostapenko this set. This is hard viewing. Ostapenko almost appears tearful out there as Venus races to three break points. Ostapenko saves two of them with great defence play and then from out of nowhere she delivers a solid first serve. She backs it up with an ace and from 0-40 down and on the verge of tears, the 20-year-old has game point. Venus lets rip at a slow second serve at game point No 2 but still Ostapenko digs into her reserve. She should have plenty more than her rival being 17 years younger but it's tough going for both out there. When Venus jumps on the next short delivery, she pushes long and now Venus will have to come out serving to stay in the match. Strange times. 

3:32PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7, 4-4 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

The topsy-turvy nature of this set takes another twist as Ostapenko takes advantage of some free points again for break point. Venus saves the break, has a wipe of her brow with her towel and takes a moment to gather her thoughts. A 10th double from Venus for the match hangs Ostapenko a second break point and the Latvian makes it this time with a winner, a well-timed backhander down the line. OSTAPENKO BREAKS. 

3:26PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-7, 4-3 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

A shrug of the shoulders and a look of disgust from Ostapenko at another double fault pretty much sums up the quality of this third set. Both women need to win to stay alive in the competition but neither player is able to string together a series of winners to gather the momentum. 

It's break point madness again as Venus racks up another two to her collection and takes it on the first. WILLIAMS BREAKS. 

3:23PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7, 3-3 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko strings together a couple of winners to pile the pressure back on Williams' serve and when the American pushes long, the Latvian stands on the brink of a 17th break of serve this match. 

Venus saves two break points and looks on as Ostapenko bats another reply into the net. The world No 7 has Venus scampering on the baseline with a cracking service return to force another break point but Venus steps in and makes a forehand winner to keep fighting. Finally, finally, Ostapenko makes the break again as Venus can't get under a backhand. Who knows which way this match is going. OSTAPENKO BREAKS. 

3:15PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-7, 3-2 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Just when it looks like one player is on a roll, the momentum switches. This time Venus takes charge of proceedings for a 0-30 lead only to be pegged back. The atmosphere inside the Singapore arena is flat, but to be fair they don't have much to feed on. Venus is gifted another chance of a break at 30-40 and makes it at the first attempt when Ostapenko drifts a reply long. WILLIAMS BREAKS. 

3:12PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7, 2-2 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Oh deary, dear. The error counts still rise with Venus just about doing enough to stay in front. The groundstroke yips aren't just limited to Ostapenko as Venus sends a regulation forehand wide and then dumps a slice into the bottom of the net. From a position of authority at 30-0, she is pulled back to 30-all. Ostapenko is the first one to shake herself out of the match slumber by drilling a winner past the net-rushing Venus. And the Latvian finally wears down her opponent as the breaks keep a coming. That's 15 breaks for the match so far. OSTAPENKO BREAKS. 

3:07PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-7, 2-1 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

A bitty game this one as Ostapenko just does enough to keep her head above the water and out of Venus' reach. A body serve sets her up nicely, but she backs it up by batting the ball into the net. Another double fault moves Venus to another break point this set, but the 37-year-old hasn't been able to make them count in the decider. More service woes hand Venus break point No 2 but an over-eager service return is well long draws groans from the crowd. Ostapenko has the look too of 'how did I get away with that one'. 

The error-strewn game goes on as break point No 3 comes and finally, finally, Venus gets over the line - courtesy of another error. WILLIAMS BREAKS. 

3:01PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7, 1-1 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko boots away a stray ball in frustration and shakes her head at losing a point as Williams maintains her focus despite squandering five break points last time out. A hold to love will help restore some of Venus' drop in confidence. 

2:58PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-7, 0-1 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Venus has come out all guns blazing after missing that opportunity to wrap up the match in the second set. She charges the net and strikes a winner. No more conservative Venus if this start is anything to go on. 

Both players took a toilet break during a lengthy delay at the end of that last set, but it's Venus who comes out rejuvenated. Ostapenko produces her first ace of the match to deny a second break point and a third is squandered when Venus strikes low. 

Ostapenko slaps herself in motivation at letting another point slip to hand a fourth break point to Venus. Break points four and five go missing as Ostapenko shows decent defence and when Venus sends a second serve long, the Latvian has what appeared an unlikely hold. 

2:46PM

Williams 7-5, 6-7 Ostapenko TIEBREAK

Ostapenko makes the early break by sweeping a delightful backhand winner across court (0-1). Venus continues to punish anything short from Ostapenko (1-1) and when the Latvian sends down another double, Venus senses the momentum swinging back in her favour again (2-1).

With the clock ticking past the two hour mark, Ostapenko moves back in front (2-3) but then can only watch a return pass her. Not to worry the ball was called out, and a challenge later the call stands (2-4). 

Venus keeps the pressure on Ostapenko and pinned into one corner and the Latvian can't quite sort out her footwork (3-4). A double from Venus hands Ostapenko another free point (3-5) and another error hands the French Open champion three set points (3-6). 

Venus can't save the first as she slices into the net. A great response from Ostapenko. She's taken it into a decider (3-7). OSTAPENKO WINS TIEBREAK 

2:38PM

Williams* 7-5, 6-6 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko digs out a low volley to pull a point back at 15-30 but Venus swats a slow and short second serve back with pure aggression for two break points. Venus gives the next second serve short shrift and we're heading into the first tiebreak of these WTA Finals. WILLIAMS BREAKS.

2:33PM

Williams 7-5, 5-6 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Venus recovers from a double fault to send down a second ace of the second set. The aces have been thin on the ground this match. Ostapenko uses up her final challenge of the set in the hope of over-ruling a long call. It was a long shot and proves unsuccessful. The pressure is taking its toll on Venus now and the American flicks a couple of returns into the tape to hand Ostapenko break point. A sublime service return turns this set on its head and now Ostapenko will come out serving to level the match having saved a match point last time out.

2:29PM

Williams* 7-5, 5-5 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Early nerves from Ostapenko in this crucial game as she hits wide and then loops another groundstroke long for 0-30. Ostapenko battles hard during the next rally, working Venus around the baseline before rushing the net and dispatching a volley into the corner. Her first serves have been well out today and another second serve allows Venus into a rally. This time the American pushes long. Venus makes Ostapenko play one more shot in the next point and it works to the Latvian's favour as she strikes a clean winner down the line. But Venus keeps the heat on and bides her time from the baseline waiting for her opponent to produce another error. They do. And now Venus brings up match point after nearly an hour and three quarters on court. But wait, this match isn't over yet as Venus can't reach and get under one forehand return. And when Ostapenko produces a first serve and backs it up with a winner into the opposite corner, Ostapenko could get out of jail here. She does. Venus sprays a groundstroke wide to draw level this set. What a hold. 

2:19PM

Williams 7-5, 5-4 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Just when Venus looks to be gathering some momentum again and a fifth double of the fault gift-wraps a point for Ostapenko. Williams shows great defence during a lengthy rally but the youth of Ostapenko finally wears down the veteran for 30-all. A deep serve draws Ostapenko to strike long before another solid first serve into the body gets Venus over the line. Ostapenko will come out serving to stay in the match.

2:16PM

Williams* 7-5, 4-4 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Venus is given ample time on Ostapenko's second serves. She splats into the bottom of the net to squander the first but then punches a winner across court on the next. Even at two game points, Ostapenko isn't able to make a first serve and a looping long return allows Venus to hang around in a game. She won't be dragged to deuce as a neat backhand into the deuce court is too good for the American to retrieve. 

2:10PM

Williams 7-5, 4-3 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Williams ups her level again by backing up some decent serving with a couple of winners from the baseline. Ostapenko hangs tough for 30-all, but Venus turns the aggressor by smashing home from the net. She takes the game with an ace, her first of the second set. 

2:07PM

Williams* 7-5, 3-3 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

What a turnaround. Ostapenko now can't miss as she strikes another winner. Venus will have to ride out the Latvian's rediscovered wave of confidence and manages to do just that. It's from the good to the ugly again as a smattering of unforced errors hand Venus the break back. WILLIAMS BREAKS. 

2:03PM

Williams 7-5, 2-3 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko well and truly in the groove now and making her shots. A put away into the corner brings up another break point, and she strikes into the same corner to win a third straight game. It's game on again. OSTAPENKO BREAKS. 

2:00PM

Williams* 7-5, 2-2 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko shapes to serve while Venus has darted back to her chair to change her racket. The umpire has to call her name a couple of times before the Latvian serves to an empty court. It shows that she is only focusing on the here and now and not on her rival. She's picked up her game levels too, working Venus behind the baseline and making the space to strike a winner down the line for two game points. A lucky drop off the net cord brings up the game. She needed a slice of good fortune. Is the comeback on? 

1:55PM

Williams 7-5, 2-1 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Venus is now moving through the gears now after a sluggish start. Ostapenko shows flashes of her brilliance, striking a winner on the charge, but she lacks that consistency. 

Anxiousness gets the better of Venus at a crucial point, and almost out of nowhere, as a fourth double fault allows Ostapenko of break point. And a flash of the racket from Ostapenko later and the break is back. OSTAPENKO BREAKS.  

1:51PM

Williams* 7-5, 2-0 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko shows some grit to stay in the moment and not let past games shake her confidence or concentration levels. The Latvian changes things up, opting for some slicing before pulling the trigger and it works her way to game point. 

Venus hangs around, nonchalantly striking the odd winner from the baseline to frustrate her opponent. It works. Ostapenko pushes a reply into the tape and mutters her annoyance again. Now Venus changes things up by rushing the net and confusing Ostapenko. It pays off as the American finally brings up a first break point. A wayward first serve heaps the pressure on Ostapenko. She gets a second serve in but a wayward forehand which lands outside the tramlines hands Venus an early break. Ouch. That's going to hurt. WILLIAMS BREAKS.

1:42PM

Williams 7-5, 1-0 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

According to the BT sport folk, Ostapenko ordered her mother to leave the court and stop watching her! That's brutal. It was her hitting partner that came on to speak to the Latvian during one change of ends during that opening set and that conversation was anything but friendly.

Venus turns the screw at the start of the second set with a love game. Ostapenko needs to watch herself here before the match runs away from her.

1:38PM

Williams* 7-5 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko directs a death stare towards her camp and unleashes what is probably a naughty Latvian word at another error, this time pushing a regulation forehand into the tape. At 30-all, Venus steps in to a second serve but strikes long to dissolve some of the pressure on Ostapenko's shoulders. Venus pounces on the next second serve and this time makes it count by forcing her rival to go long for deuce. 

Ostapenko is struggling to get any sort of serve over the net now and how this set has changed as now Venus moves to set point. Williams watches on from the other side of the court and another unforced error allows her of the set. WILLIAMS BREAKS TO TAKE WIN SET.

1:32PM

Williams 6-5 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

The momentum in the set has swung back in Williams' favour and the American is slowing the pace of the match down. It's a slow enough court out there anyway but Venus wants to dictate proceedings. Ostapenko won't let that last game distract her and keeps battling. She's only an inch or two out from a break point as Ostapenko's forehand lands wide and Venus finally steers her way back in front for the second time this set.

1:27PM

Williams* 5-5 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Nervous start from Ostapenko as her attempted kick serve doesn't fool Williams and a couple of unforced errors gift the American three break points. Another first serve goes begging and a forehand into the net hands Venus the easiest of breaks. WILLIAMS BREAKS. 

1:24PM

Williams 4-5 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Both players exchange sensational backhand winners before Williams steals a march this game at two game points when an Ostapenko reply strikes the top of the tape and lands wide. 

But it hasn't been straight forward for Williams so far today and a third double fault brings Ostapenko back to 40-30. This time Venus stays focused to see out the game and force Ostapenko to serve for the opening set. 

1:21PM

Williams* 3-5 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Deja vu again on Ostapenko's serve as another double hands Williams another free point. Just imagine the kind of player she could be if she could get on top of her service game. Williams is all over a slower second serve and strikes a forehand winner across court in mid-air. Ostapenko draws a couple of errors from Venus with some deep controlled hitting and then gets a first serve down the T which Venus is able to retrieve, but looks on as the reply comes flying across court. Ostapenko secures the break. 

1:16PM

Williams 3-4 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko shows the good and bad side of her game in the opening two points of this game. She steps in to one short ball to deliver a winner, but goes for the killer shot too early during the next point to allow Williams to restore parity. Luckily for Ostapenko, Venus is forced to play an extra volley at the net and one drops wide and the break points are racking up every game. A quite brilliant service return beats Venus hands down and that's the third break off Williams' serve today. OSTAPENKO BREAKS.

1:13PM

Williams* 3-3 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko sees Venus' double and matches it like for like at the start of her next service game. Venus is all over the next second serve and forces Ostapenko to go long and the pressure is once again instantly back on the world No 7. 

Venus drops her head and shoulders in response to one loose return to a slow serve. No worry. Ostapenko strikes long on the next point, and in a flash Venus has two break points. Ostapenko saves the first by stepping into a short delivery after some powerful and lengthy hitting from Venus. But the Latvian sees out the game as she started it with her third double of the match overall. WILLIAMS BREAKS.

1:07PM

Williams 2-3 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Venus is slowly building momentum on her first serve after that opening game blip. Ostapenko does her best to get her racket head on one thunderbolt down the T but can't control her response. Williams can't secure the game to love as she loops a forehand into the tramlines and from 40-0 up, the world No 5 is pegged back to deuce. Williams cranks up the volume on her grunts and draws another error from her opponent but Ostapenko won't go away this game and middles a service reply with accuracy into the corner. The first real baseline duel ensues in the next point with Ostapenko striking a beautiful winner across court. She can't take advantage of another break point but the Latvian's persistence pays off again as she has Venus moving in the wrong direction for a second deuce. 

Great footwork and movement again from Ostapenko allows her to work the space for a winner down the line and a second break point. A double hands Ostapenko a second break. Venus gave that game away from 40-love up. OSTAPENKO BREAKS. 

12:59PM

Williams* 2-2 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko is backed into a corner as Williams focuses on the forehand and draws the error from her opponent. The French Open champion's error-count is mounting up and she's starting to get agitated. Ostapenko stops the rot with a winner for 15-30 but continues to make a first serve. 

Crucially at 30-all, Ostapenko catches Venus out by taking a backhand early and when Williams pushes wide, the Latvian secures her first hold.

12:53PM

Williams 2-1 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Great movement and timing from Ostapenko as she produces a clinical forehand winner across court. The Latvian uses her power to good effect on the other flank to strike past Williams which has the American considering whether to make an early challenge. She opts against it. More precision from Ostapenko, this time a delightful backhand down the line brings up two break points but the youngster can't covert at the first attempt and she drags her backhand wide. The second chance goes begging when Ostapenko strikes the net and the Latvian looks forlornly across the net as she punches another backhand low. Williams rides out the storm as a service return into the tramlines ensures Venus is the first to hold serve this match.

12:49PM

Williams* 1-1 Ostapenko (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko rushes the net at a short reply from Venus, but Williams sends her own reply back past the 20-year-old as she eases to her break points. The American has two to make it count. A double fault hands the world No 5 the break back.  WILLIAMS BREAKS.

12:45PM

Williams 0-1 Ostapenko* (*denotes next server)

Williams begins with the service yips, throwing in a double to hand Ostapenko a mini-break. The first rallies of the match produce two unforced errors from the Latvian, both on her backhand wing. A third straight error, this time on the other wing, moves Williams to game point but a backhand into the tape continues an error-strewn opening game. Ostapenko has an early break point when Williams loops a reply long and makes it with a cracking service return. OSTAPENKO BREAKS. 

12:35PM

Here come the players

Ostapenko is the first to emerge from the darkness and smoke in the tunnel into the spotlight on the indoor hard court alongside her mascot. Venus follows with her game face on, not fazed in the slightest by the louder cheer from the near capacity arena. 

12:31PM

Venus not even the oldest

At 37-years-young, Venus Williams is not the oldest player to compete at the WTA Finals. Venus is, in fact, the third-oldest player to compete at the season-ending event. Billie Jean King was 39 in 1983 and Martina Navratilova was 38 in 1994.

Venus, who won the 2008 WTA Finals by defeating Vera Zvonareva of Russia, is appearing in the year-end tournament for the first time since 2009.

12:16PM

Who will notch first win of finals?

Venus Williams and Jelena Ostapenko square up in the round-robin stages of the WTA Finals in Singapore desperately needing a win to stay in contention of reaching the semi-finals of the season-ending event.

Both Williams and Ostapenko lost their opening singles matches on Sunday in straight sets and face a tall order to get out of their White Group.

Williams, who is the only player in the top eight in Singapore without a title to her name this year, suffered a 6-2, 6-2 defeat to Karolina Pliskova inside 72 minutes. French Open champion Ostapenko, meanwhile, lost 6-3, 6-4 to Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza.

Williams and Ostapenko meet this lunchtime before Muguruza takes on Pliskova in the second singles match of the day later.

The 37-year-old Williams has defeated Ostapenko once this season in their only head-to-head to date. The American ended the Latvian's charge at only her second major at Wimbledon this summer in the quarter-finals. Williams went on to lose in the final.