Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has continued her fine run of form, beating Coco Vandeweghe 7-5 6-3 to win the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford for the second year in a row.
Despite only getting into the tournament as a lucky loser, Vandeweghe caused the favourite a lot of trouble in the first set, but she squandered her chance to win it, and Williams eventually triumphed in just under an hour and a half.
Vandeweghe coped really well with her fellow American's big serve in set one and broke twice, but she faltered when serving for the set at 5-4.
After Williams had come up with a return winner, Vandeweghe produced a costly double fault, and she ran into trouble in her next service game too, eventually hitting a backhand out to give Williams the set.
And the top seed was in charge from that point, breaking for a 3-1 lead, setting up match point with an ace and then a forehand winner, before clinching the title with another huge serve, followed by a forehand into open court.
Williams now owns 43 career titles, the same number as her sister Venus. The total is the highest among active WTA players.
"I think I played well enough to win today," said Williams. "I think I can do a lot better, but there are a lot of positives from today. I was fighting out there. I wanted it."
The American superstar, who has now won 28 of her last 29 matches, is now relishing a shot at Olympic gold.
"I've never felt this fit, this strong, this happy to play - and I think I can be even better," she added.
"I want to sustain this momentum and build on what I did at Wimbledon. I'm going to get back on the grass now for the Olympics - I'm not sure when I'm heading back to London, but I'll do it as soon as I can."
