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The 2002 Bank of the West Tennis Classic began with a full range of story lines, including the return of Lindsey Davenport from a knee injury that had sidelined her for the entire 2002 campaign and Kim Clijsters' attempt to defend her title. With the absence of the world's number one player, Serena Williams, the tournament appeared wide open.
Anna Kournikova, Monica Seles, Justine Henin and Davenport all made valiant efforts in their attempt to be crowned champion of this 32-year-old tournament, the oldest women-only tennis tournament in the world. In the end, it was Venus Williams, sister of the world's number one player, who took the crown. Williams, the top seed, won her fifth title of the year to maintain her number two world ranking. It was Venus' eighth appearance at the Bank of the West Tennis Classic and the second time in three years that she took the title, this year defeating defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-3, 6-3 before a sold out crowd at Stanford's Taube Tennis Center.
As beautiful a day as it was for the fans, the bright sun and blue skies that are a trademark of the Northern California summer forced Venus out of her rhythm and into an uncharacteristic 10 double-faults.
"The sun was definitely a factor,' she said about the bright skies. "I had to start moving my toss around a bit. And when you have to move your toss around, it gets a little shaky.'' The power of her serve didn't leave her, however. At one point, she was clocked at 119 mph.
Williams beat Lisa Raymond in the semifinals to advance in the $585,000 tournament. Clijsters upset second-seeded Lindsay Davenport. Although earlier this year Clijsters beat Williams in the final at Hamburg to even their career series at 1-1, at Stanford it was Venus' title.
In the doubles final Sunday, top-seeded Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs defeated Janette Husarova and Conchita Martinez, 6-1, 6-1. Raymond and Stubbs advanced to the final when Anna Kournikova had to withdraw from the semifinal with partner Meghann Shaughnessy because of an abdominal strain.
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