Hamburg - Venus Williams' title at the WTA Championships on Sunday marked the end of a turbulent year in women's tennis which saw six changes at the number one position after Justine Henin's retirement.

The Belgian Henin was tipped to dominate 2008 after an amazing unbeaten second half of 2007, but her win streak came to an end at the Australian Open in January and she then retired from tennis on May 14 at the age of 26.

"I based my life on the relationships, the love and all that I could give to tennis. But I couldn't manage to express it anymore these past months," she said, naming retirement "a great day in my life."

Hamburg - Jelena Jankovic topped the year-ending women's tennis rankings issued on Monday by the WTA, with Venus Williams climbing into sixth place courtesy of her title at the 2008 finale in Doha.

Jankovic, who was stopped in the Doha semis by Williams, tops the final list with 4,710 points. She was assured of the 2008 top spot ahead of the final week of action.

US Open champion Serena Williams is second with 3,866 points, swapping positions with Dinara Safina, who has 3,817 points.

Venus Williams climbed from eighth to sixth place after her three-set win Sunday over Vera Zvonareva. The Russian finalist also rose two places, from nine to seven.

Shanghai  - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga blamed clueless ball kids for his opening loss at the Masters Cup, with the petulant French player perhaps finding excuses for his own rookie mistakes on court.

A debutant at the year-end event, the hyper-fit 23-year-old who won the Paris title a week ago said he "lost energy" waiting for hardd-working ball kids to fetch him his towel frequently between points as he went down in Gold group play to Nikolay Davydenko in three sets.

"When I ask for my towel, my towel didn't come," lamented Tsgona, "When I ask for a ball, the ball didn't come. That's it."

Shanghai - Nikolay Davydenko had to overcome a late struggle from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before defeating the Frenchman 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) to start with a tight victory at the Masters Cup on Sunday.

The Russian had to sweep a third-set tiebreaker after failing to serve out victory leading 5-3 in the third, scratching through in two hours, 43 minutes.

Novak Djokovic broke his duck at the year-end spectacular, winning his first career match at the event after three 2007 losses.

The Serb overpowered Argentine Juan Del Potro 7-5, 6-3 to take the early lead in the Gold group.

Shanghai - Novak Djokovic broke his duck at the Masters Cup, winning his first career match at the season wrap-up after three 2007 losses.

The Serb overpowered Argentine Juan Del Potro 7-5, 6-3 to take the early lead in the Gold group.

"I'm happy to win, that's for sure, I'm satisfied," said Australian Open champion Dokovic.

"I played really well from the start and felt good on the court. But then suddenly I just lost momentum and started serving really badly.

"He got back to the game. It was my fault, but I played well in the important moments. I'm happy to get through in straight sets."