Williams shrugs off mystery ailment to down Sharapova
After a little stretch of her left leg, Venus Williams walked out on to the Victoria Park centre court grinning. The world number eight knew the capacity crowd had become concerned she might be carrying an injury.
Some 80 minutes later that grin had burst into a bright beaming smile after the American had dispensed with Maria Sharapova, 6-4, 6-3, in the final of the JB Group Classic and had blown away any lingering doubts about the hamstring strain she had suffered in the semi-final the night before.
'It was much better today,' she said. 'I really got a ton of treatment last night and some this morning so I felt a lot better.' When pressed on what exactly had ailed her during her semi-final win over Elena Dementieva, Williams remained unsure - but happy that it seemed to have passed.
'I think it was a little of everything and that's sports,' she said. 'It's kind of strange when you don't know exactly what it is or why it's doing that. It's a little strange but I've overcome it and feel good.
'I feel much better. I think every athlete has a certain tolerance for pain. I can't say that I am super hot but I felt good enough for the match.'