epa03795876 Serena Williams reacts during the final of the Swedish Open against Johanna Larsson, not shown, 21 July 2013 in Bastad, Sweden. Williams won 6-4, 6-1. EPA/BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL |
BASTAD, Sweden – Serena Williams beat Johanna Larsson in the final of the Collector Swedish Open on Sunday for her 53rd WTA title, tying Monica Seles for ninth place in most WTA titles in the Open Era.
Larsson, Sweden’s No.1 player and the No.8 seed at her home event, played some inspired tennis to reach the final, but she was no match for the No.1-seeded Williams, who won in straight sets, 64 61.
Even though it is an International-level event, Williams’ triumph at the Collector Swedish Open is a very special one – it is actually her first International-level title. She had never come away with a title in five previous attempts at the International level, in fact never even making it to a final.
Larsson’s record in WTA finals fell to 0-3, having been a runner-up in her other two finals as well, at Portoroz in 2010 (to Anna Chakvetadze) and right here in Bastad in 2011 (to Polona Hercog).
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Serena Williams Wins 53rd WTA Title In Bastad – http://t.co/m0gXkovjti @serenawilliams @WTA @BleacherReport @ESPNTennis