Charleston, SC (Sports Network) - Serena Williams reached a milestone in
dominating fashion on Sunday, beating Czech Lucie Safarova in straight sets to
win the championship at the Family Circle Cup tennis event.
The 6-0, 6-1 triumph by the fifth-seeded Williams gave her a 40th career
title. That's third-best on the active list behind only her sister Venus (43)
and Kim Clijsters (41).
It was the end to a powerful week for Williams. She didn't drop a set, and
with the $115,000 first-place prize went over the $35 million mark for her
career. She moved to 5-0 all-time against Safarova.
It's her second title in Charleston, joining the 2008 effort. This is also her
fourth championship on clay.
Williams was up to the task right away, saving all four of Safarova's break
point chances in the opening set and finishing it in 32 minutes on the green
clay at Family Circle Tennis Center. Williams ended the match with her fifth
ace, capping the encounter in less than an hour.
The ninth-seeded Safarova was the first Czech player to reach the final at
this event since Regina Marsikova in 1980. Her last title came at Forest Hills
in 2008. Since winning the title at the U.S. Open warmup event, Safarova has
gone 0-5 in finals appearances.
The Sports Network