Serena powers Bangalore Open'08

The amalgamation of tennis splendour with Serena Williams power turned the heat on Patty Schnyder as Serena powered her first title in 11 months, after edging out her opponent 7-5, 6-3 in the finals to claim the WTA Bangalore Open here on Sunday.

Serena’s booming serves and variety of ground strokes helped her to pocket the winner's prize of US$ 95,500 and 300 ranking points.

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With this win, Williams claimed her 29th career title and her first since April at Miami. Williams also improved her record against Schnyder taking it to 7-3.

Schnyder wilted under pressure and committed several unforced errors while trying to hit deep and keep Williams at the baseline.

The keenly-contested final also saw some tempers as 11th-ranked Williams smashed her racket when she faced two break points in the fifth game of the first set. She was also cautioned for court violation.

“I’m very passionate about what I do,” Williams said after the match on her smashing act.

Serena faced some stiff resistance in the first set from Schnyder, as she promised a tough match to her American rival. She also broke Serena in the first set and even led 3-1 but all what Serena need was a break point and that she got in the 12th game to seal the first set 7-5 in her favour.

The players exchanged service breaks in the first three games of the second set as Schnyder started the proceedings by breaking Williams in the first and third games. In return, Williams moved further by breaking Schnyder in the sixth and eighth games respectively.

“When you’re playing against a champion like Serena then you’ve to be at your best,” summed up Schnyder after the final. Serena saved a break point in the ninth game and went on to win the game, match and the title after Schnyder's forehand return got trapped in the net.