LOS ANGELES -- It's an interesting way to end the year -- Serena Williams' loss gives more people the thought that they can challenge the Williams sisters. For fans who want to see a more level field with more contenders it shows that it's possible.

	Pam's Take
	Shriver Former WTA Tour pro Pam Shriver is providing ESPN.com with in-depth analysis throughout the Championships. Shriver, a tennis analyst for ESPN, was ranked as high as No. 3 in singles play. She won 21 singles and 112 doubles titles, including 22 Grand Slams.

Kim Clijsters had it all set up for her Monday night. She got Serena on a night she would be below her best -- Jennifer Capriati ensured that. As long as Clijsters stayed sure of herself and kept it close, she had a pretty good chance.

In her biggest match before this, the finals of the 2001 French Open, Clijsters had shown that she was not intimidated by the big situations. And she has the talent. Still, the big story is that Serena was a good level below her normal self. Serena didn't quite have enough energy physically or mentally to close out the first set when she served for it. She needed to close this out in straight sets -- rather than going three hard sets on consecutive nights.

Still, the year is about Serena not losing a match in any of the majors in which she played. That's still the outstanding performer of the year. Serena has to be disappointed, but I hope tomorrow she sees herself holding those French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open trophies and this match should disappear in a couple of days.

She won't be taking a winning streak into the Australian Open next year. The Aussie Open is an interesting challenge because neither Williams sister has been through to the finals there. Serena has only gotten as far as the semifinals, while Venus never has gotten past the quarterfinals.

So the Australian Open stands out as the one they've never done. And each time they think about something they've never done, they get fired up about it.

Venus needs to get herself in better condition and raise her level again. She seems to have dropped another level. In the semifinals here, Capriati looked like the second-best player, and now Clijsters is in the mix.

It remains to be seen how Serena will hold up to the pressure of trying to remain No. 1. The pressure didn't affect her at the U.S.Open, but once you start a new year, it's different. And Venus and Capriati aren't just going to give it to her -- they aren't just in this for a couple of good years.

So we'll find out how she'll handle it. She hasn't stayed healthy for a 12-month period yet. She's won four majors and had an unbelievable year. Although one great year makes you a champion, it's not enough to make you a legend.