Fifth seed Williams advanced to a second-round match against 87th-ranked Yuliana Fedak of Ukraine. Williams probably must reach Sunday's final in order to qualify for next week's showdown of the season's eight top WTA players.

"It's a strange situation for me not to qualify but I'm focusing on this week first and really want to end my season on a good note," Williams said after dispatching Raymond with ease.

"Lisa is a very good player and can play very well against me. I wanted control early in the match and I was able to do that."

Williams could face top seed Amelie Mauresmo of France in the quarterfinals. Mauresmo will face 38th-ranked Czech Iveta Benesova.

Raymond was disappointed with the last match of her 16th WTA season.

"I never really settled down, never relaxed," Raymond said. "I never got my rhythm in the match. When I take a break I'll get my goals together and regroup."

Two berths in the Tour Championships are at stake this week, with one almost certain to go to Williams' sister Serena, who is skipping this event.

Fourth seed Jennifer Capriati of the United States and sixth seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who could meet in the quarterfinals, are the other contenders for a berth in the concluding event next week in Los Angeles.

Jelena Kostanic of Croatia outlasted lucky loser Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, to set up a match with third seed Maria Sharapova of Russia.