Serena Williams crushes Errani in Rome Masters defence

May 19, 2014 | 08:29

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World number one Serena Williams warmed up for the French Open by cruising to her second straight Rome Masters title on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Sara Errani of Italy.

Serena Williams celebrates after beating Sara Errani to clinch the Rome Masters title at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2014. (AFP/Andreas Solaro)

Rome - World number one Serena Williams warmed up for the French Open by cruising to her second straight Rome Masters title on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Sara Errani of Italy.

Errani had been looking to become the first Italian winner of the women's event in 29 years.

But with six previous defeats to her American rival, her bid was always going to be difficult and was hampered after she picked up a thigh injury at the end of the first set.

Despite plenty of support from a partisan crowd on Central Court, Errani was overwhelmed by the power of the 32-year-old Florida resident.

Williams broke Errani in the second game of the first set and although the 10th seed came back to break in the seventh game, she failed to hold serve in the next, allowing the American to serve out for the set.

Errani appeared to have injured her leg when she failed to go for a Williams return which allowed the defending French Open champion to break for a 5-3 lead.

Shortly after, the Italian called for the physio.

She had strapping applied to the top of her thigh, however it did little to reignite her bid to become the first Italian woman since Raffaella Reggi in 1985 to win the Italian Open.

Williams continued her domination in a completely one-sided second set to claim a deserved straight sets win in 1hr 12min.

It was all too much for Errani who broke down in tears at courtside.

AFP

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