Serena wins year’s first title in India

Serena Williams won the 600,000-dollar WTA Bangalore Open on Sunday, giving the world number 11 her first title of the year on her maiden visit to India.

Williams defeated Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 7-5, 6-3 in a final lasting an hour and 25 minutes to pocket the winner’s purse of 95,000 dollars and 275 points with her 29th career title.

The 12th-ranked Schnyder, who tasted defeat after winning three of her last four matches against Williams, took home 51,000 dollars and 190 points from India’s richest tennis event.

“It was so nice being in India and winning the title made it even better,” said the third-seeded American, who had beaten elder sister Venus in the semi-finals on Saturday.