Serena Williams wins Bank of the West Classic 2011 title in StanfordSerena Williams defeated Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-1 to win the Bank of the West Classic 2011 title in Stanford.
Bartoli was up a break two times in the opening set but Williams was able to get those breaks back on her way to take the lead.
The American went ahead 5-0 in the second and never looked back.
This is Serena´s first title since her comeback to tennis. Williams mowed down the competition with relative ease, including a 6-1, 6-3 thumping of Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals.
The American was calm and cool behind Bartoli’s go-for-broke shots and second serve topping 100 mph, having a harder time with the elements.
Williams was broken in the third game of the match and eventually went down 4-2.
She then saved two break points and moved back to 4-3. Bartoli broke back and served for the set at 5-4, first requesting a trainer to deal with a blister on her right hand.
After a long rally on set point for Williams, somebody in the crowd yelled “out” while Bartoli returned a ball from the baseline. The French woman kept playing before hitting the next ball into the net to give Williams the set.
Bartoli argued unsuccessfully with the chair umpire to replay the point, and she requested a trainer between sets.
The Frenchwoman was broken in the second game of the second set and allowed Williams to go up 5-0 with easy.
“I haven’t won a tournament in forever that wasn’t a grand slam so it’s cool,” said Williams.
“I put a lot of work into this week. I want to take this whole (hardcourt) swing serious. It’s a good time for me.”
“I knew before the match that it would be different from Wimbledon,” said Bartoli, who suffered a bone bruise on her hand.
“I managed to play well until my hand was disturbed, but that doesn’t take anything away from Serena who played really well.”
“I never lose hope in my serve,” said Williams, who unleashed 11 aces in the match. “Sometimes it doesn’t show up, but I keep hitting it.
“I have an opportunity to be healthy and be here that I’m so grateful,” added the American
Source Yahoo/AP
