TOP seed Venus Williams opened the inaugural WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province, with a tight three-set win over fellow American Madison Keys on Tuesday.

    The seven-time Grand Slam winner came from a set down to win 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1 as she seeks to end her season with a 48th career title.

    The Elite Trophy, which follows last week’s WTA Finals in Singapore for the top eight women, is a new event featuring the players ranked nine-20.

    The initial draw selected four pots of three players, also including Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Jelena Jankovic, who will compete for the US$2.5 million purse.

    Williams, aged 35 and ranked 11th in the world, is enjoying an Indian summer in her career exemplified by her victory at last month’s Wuhan Open.

    Later, Serbian former world No. 1 Jankovic also got off to a winning start when she beat Italy’s Sara Errani 6-4, 7-5.

    Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal confirmed Tuesday that he has erased all personal doubts concerning his form and never once considered missing the forthcoming World Tour Finals in London.

    Nadal cleared the air at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris two days after playing the Basel final, where he lost to Roger Federer. (SD-Agencies)