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Venus Williams wins 1st tourney in a year
Venus Williams won her first title in a year, defeating Nicole Vaidisova 6-3, 6-2 in strong wind and drizzle Saturday to win the Istanbul Cup and boost her confidence for the French Open that starts Monday. It was the 32nd championship — and seventh on clay — for Williams, and her first since May 2004 at Warsaw, Poland.
"It's great to win my first tournament of the year, especially on the eve of a Grand Slam," said Williams. "I'm going to go into Roland Garros with lots of confidence, and after four good matches on clay." Williams, seeded first, was playing in her first final since February. She won the first four games of the match and had little trouble against the 16-year-old Czech, who was seeded second. "I was determined to win. It was the perfect preparation (for the French Open). I had the opportunity to play with different kinds of players," Williams said. "Nicole is a very good player who's only going to get better. I really enjoyed playing against her, especially in the long rallies." Williams relied on a powerful backhand in winning several long rallies against Vaidisova. The Czech managed a break in each set, but Williams broke Vaidisova's serve twice in the first set and three times in the second. Vaidisova, trying to win her third WTA Tour title, was facing Williams for the first time. "Venus was just too good today," she said. "I was making lots of mistakes, but that was largely because I was forced into shots I don't normally have to make. It's been a good week for me. Of course I'm disappointed to lose today, but it's my first clay-court final and I'm glad that I'm improving on this surface."
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