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Stanford, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Serena Williams beat German Angelique Kerber 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 on Sunday in the Bank of the West Classic final.
The top-seeded and top-ranked Williams won five straight games after falling behind 5-1 in the opening set. The third-seeded Kerber held serve to force a tiebreak that Williams claimed with one of her six aces.
Williams earned another break in the first game of the second set. She broke again on her fourth match point to capture a third title at this hardcourt event, adding to triumphs in 2011 and 2012, and the 61st of her career.
The tournament was the American’s first since Wimbledon, when she retired in a doubles match with sister Venus because of a viral illness.
Williams has won all four finals she’s played in 2014.
Kerber, conversely, is 0-4 in title matches this season.