Venus Williams defeats Misaki Doi 6-4, 6-2 in Inaugural Taiwan Open to capture her 49th WTA singles title

It’s Valentine’s Day in the United States, and while lots of women are receiving flowers, Venus Williams collected her 49th WTA title and a check for $500,000, by defeating Japan’s Misaki Doi 6-4, 6-2 at the inaugural Taiwan Open on Sunday.

The former No. 1 and seven-time grand slam winner, who exited in the first round of the Australian Open, felt lucky in Asia.

"I've had so much success in Asia," Williams said after the match, having won her past two titles in China. "I feel like it's very lucky to play here."

"The last five days were so exciting, just to feel the enthusiasm and to play great tennis every day," Williams added. "It was a perfect week for me, and the tournament did an amazing job with everything. The players and fans felt so welcome, so it was perfect."

With Venus Williams’ 49th career women’s singles title, she is now seventh on the all-time tournament victories list for Women’s singles; and she is within striking distance of Monica Seles (53) and Lindsay Davenport (55).

Doi, who was playing Venus Williams for the first time, was bidding for her second WTA career title following last year's win in Luxembourg.

VIDEO: WTA appears to be biased against Serena Williams

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) goes on the bench because of its rankings and grand slam tournament seeding and draws, especially the current Wimbledon championships, which has loaded Serena Williams' top half of the draw with Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Lucie Safarova, Sloane Stephens and her sister Venus Williams, whom she will play next in the quarter finals.

The on-air analysts and commentators never seem to question the WTA’s grand slam tournament seeding and draws. The tennis media always seem resigned to say well Serena will earn this championship if she can get through. Meanwhile the bottom half of the draw, where Sharapova normally resides, was occupied by defending champion Petra Kvitova until she was unceremoniously ousted by veteran bad girl, Jelena Jankovic.

As two-time US OPEN champ Tracy Austin pointed out, with Petra out, the bottom half of the draw has no major championships, while Serena's top half has 34 grand slam victories and even taking Serena's 20 out, that still leaves 14 major winners. And coincidently, American Madison Keys, is the only black player in the bottom half, while Serena has already played the match of the tournament against Great Britain's own black rising star, Heather Watson and miraculously staging a comeback with Watson’s two points from winning.

Serena will potentially play what would be three finals to get to the finals while her opponents will walk through and only have to produce their best tennis once for a chance at history. And they have the nerve to ask why the sisters pulled out of playing doubles. I don't think the powers that be want Serena to break the all-time record for majors and they definitely don't want her and Venus to meet in the finals.

So, WTA, you’re on the bench!

Women's Tennis Association's Wimbledon Grand Slam Seeding and Draws Seem to be Biased Against Serena Williams

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) goes on the bench because of its rankings and grand slam tournament seeding and draws, especially the current Wimbledon championships, which has loaded Serena Williams' top half of the draw with Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Lucie Safarova, Sloane Stephens and her sister Venus Williams, whom she will play next in the quarter finals.

The on-air analysts and commentators never seem to question the WTA’s grand slam tournament seeding and draws. The tennis media always seem resigned to say well Serena will earn this championship if she can get through. Meanwhile the bottom half of the draw, where Sharapova normally resides, was occupied by defending champion Petra Kvitova until she was unceremoniously ousted by veteran bad girl, Jelena Jankovic.

As two-time US OPEN champ Tracy Austin pointed out, with Petra out, the bottom half of the draw has no major championships, while Serena's top half has 34 grand slam victories and even taking Serena's 20 out, that still leaves 14 major winners. And coincidently, American Madison Keys, is the only black player in the bottom half, while Serena has already played the match of the tournament against Great Britain's own black rising star, Heather Watson and miraculously staging a comeback with Watson’s two points from winning.

Serena will potentially play what would be three finals to get to the finals while her opponents will walk through and only have to produce their best tennis once for a chance at history. And they have the nerve to ask why the sisters pulled out of playing doubles. I don't think the powers that be want Serena to break the all-time record for majors and they definitely don't want her and Venus to meet in the finals.

So, WTA, you’re on the bench!