PTI

Bangalore, Mar 10: Serena Williams quelled the challenge of Patty Schnyder 7-5 6-3 to win the her first singles title of the season by emerging winner in the final of the Canara Bank WTA Bangalore Open tennis championship here on Sunday.

With her booming serves and variety of strokes, Serena pocketed the title as well as winner's prize of USD 95,500 and 300 ranking points.

Serena put pressure on her Swiss opponent as she fired two aces and made Schnyder work hard to save a game point for a 1-1 scoreline.

From then on it went on serve.

Schnyder was also never relenting in her counter attacks and hit some stunning forehand returns. This forced the American player trying a little hard, which resulted in many unforced errors, specially in the first four games.

Serena required just one break to wrap up the first set which she got in the 12th.

Schnyder, who had predicted that if she was able to win rallies she will have a chance to beat, tried her best and won few points on long rallies but Serena wore her down with her hustling tactics and never hesitated to charge to the net.

Schnyder, promised a tough match for her American rival as she broke Serena in the first of the second set and even led 3-1.

Serena, however, raised her game a few notches up and controlled the proceedings from her fifth game as she wiped off the deficit and then won two successive games to lead 5-3 with a crucial break in the eighth game.

Serena saved a break point in her ninth game and went on to win the match and the title with Schnyder's forehand return kissing the net.