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Venus Takes Bank of the West Classic
Venus had too much fire power for Kim Clijsters today, dominating her and easily winning the Bank of the West Classic.
Williams used a powerful serve and easily controlled most of the baseline exchanges and Clijsters struggled at times on her own serve allowing Venus to capitalize.
The American closed out the first set in impressive style, stretching
for a backhand volley winner at deuce and followed that with a 112mph ace.
She wasted little time imposing herself on the second set, breaking
Clijsters in the opening game with a back-court winner and then again in
the third game to lead 3-0.
"Kim brought out the best in me today," Venus admitted. "I'd like to
think that for someone to beat me, they would have to play an almost
perfect match," she said.
Clijsters fought hard to stay in the match but agreed with Venus and
admitted afterwards that every shot would have had to have been perfect to
beat Venus today - the same problem faced by every player on the women’s
tour with the exception of sister Serena.
Venus has five titles this year, tying Serena for the Tour lead. A very good performance for any other player but not equal to her numbers in recent years and she isn't winning the big ones. She has only one more chance to win a Slam this year. And Serena likes the U. S. Open, too.
It was Williams' first tournament win since she triumphed at Amelia Island in early April. However despite the victory, she remains at number two in the world rankings behind her younger sister, Serena.
Clijsters, the fourth seed and defending champion, will fall from No. 5 in the world to No. 7 with the loss at Taube Family Tennis Center.
Earlier this year, Clijsters beat Williams in the final at Hamburg to even their career series at 1-1. Williams won in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open last year.
In the doubles final Sunday, top-seeded Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs
defeated Janette Husarova and Conchita Martinez, 6-1, 6-1.
Raymond and Stubbs advanced to the final when Anna Kournikova had to
withdraw from the semifinal with partner Meghann Shaughnessy because of an
abdominal strain.
Results
[1] Venus Williams (USA) def. [4] Kim Clijsters (BEL) (6-3, 6-3)
[1] Lisa Raymond (USA) / Rennae Stubbs (AUS) def. Janette Husarova (SVK) / Conchita Martinez (ESP) (6-1, 6-1)
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