Doha: Serena defeats (World #2) Safina

Serena thrashed Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-1. Safina committed 10 double faults. The match was a rematch of the US Open semifinal, which Serena won 6-3, 6-2, en route to her ninth career Grand Slam title in New York.

Williams is making her fifth career appearance at the Championships. She is a one-time champion at the event in 2001, and a two-time runner-up in 2002 and 2004. In her only other appearance, which came last year, she injured her left knee during her first round robin match and subsequently withdrew from the tournament. She had also qualified three separate years - 1999, 2000 and 2003 - but withdrew injured before each tournament began with a variety of injuries.