Serena Williams Cruises Past Sara Errani to Win 60th Career Title
Serena Williams captured her 60th WTA title on Sunday, cruising past Italy’s Sara Errani 6-3, 6-0 in the Internazionali BDL d’Italia championship in Rome.
The world number one kept the hometown crowd out of play, jumping out to an early lead in the first set to take control of the match. After Williams took a 5-3 lead in the opening set, Errani needed an injury timeout to deal with a thigh issue that seemed to bother her from there on out.
“I’m also sorry for Sara today,” said Williams. “She really played great all week.”
Williams would not lose a game in the second set, and overpowered the Italian all afternoon. She smashed seven aces compared to none for Errani on her way to her 60th career title.
The 26-year old Errani was attempting to become the first Italian in almost thirty years to win the tournament in Rome, but was unable to overcome the thigh injury let alone Williams’ serve. She is the first runner-up in the event since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.
It is the third title of the season for Williams and she moves closer to Billie Jean King for sixth on the all-time career title list as she prepares for the French Open.
“Today gave me a great opportunity to understand the atmosphere I’ll have in Paris, too,” said Williams. “Paris is a Grand Slam and you think differently, you have a little more nerves, everyone’s uptight and excited, the crowd is different, and energy levels can be different too.”
