Venus Williams beats Pliskova to win WTA Elite Open

Top-seeded Venus Williams beat Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 7-6 (6) to win the WTA Elite Trophy on Sunday.

Pliskova had a set point at 6-5 in the tiebreaker but Williams hit back-to-back forehand winners to close out the win.

“Seven weeks here in Asia and now I feel like it’s my home,” Williams said. “I’m so excited to win the first trophy in Zhuhai. All the players felt so welcome here and we appreciated all of the enthusiasm.”

With her third win of the year, Williams returns to the top 10 for the first time in more than four years.