Former World No.1 Serena Williams wins her 73rd WTA title at the ASB Classic 2020 in Auckland after rallying past the unseeded Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 in the finals on Sunday. With this victory, she also secures her first title since the 2017 Australian Open.
In the all-American finals, the veteran hit 74 percent of her first serves in and won 77 per cent of 1st serve points. Williams dominated her compatriot in both – service game and return game. She won a total of 67 percent of service points and 47 percent of return points.
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Before this match, Williams hadn’t won a set in any of her post-maternity championship matches. However, she broke the streak after finding her rhythm following a slow start in the opening set.
Serena Williams saved four breakpoints and won the set
Pegula started the match on the right foot as she broke Williams in her opening service game. She again troubled Serena in her next serve game but missed four break chances to get a commanding 3-0 lead.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was back on track after holding a crucial service game. She broke twice and won five consecutive games to clinch the opening set 6-3 in 50 minutes.
First set to @serenawilliams !
She leads Pegula 6-3 in the @ASB_Classic final! pic.twitter.com/MVS7gVOXwJ
— WTA (@WTA) January 12, 2020
Serena Williams had to fight off four break points to hold to 1-2 and stay within a break and she rolls from there, coming back from a break down to win the opening set 63 over Jessie Pegula. #ASBClassic
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 12, 2020
Williams sealed the match in the second set
The No.1 seed took the momentum in the next set as she earned four break points in her opponent’s opening service game. However, Pegula denied all the four break chances as she won her first game after losing five in a row.
So many brilliant shots in here from @serenawilliams !#ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/kW5obrBySl
— WTA (@WTA) January 12, 2020
The 25-year-old was broken for the third time in the match as Serena took a commanding 4-3 lead. She then served out the match after 1 hour and 36 minutes and won the second set 6-4.
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Serena Williams returns to Title Town.
Serena wins her 1st title since 2017, defeating Jessica Pegula 63 64 to win @asbclassic.
Serena won her 1st WTA title in February 1999.
She’s won her 73rd WTA title in January 2020.
Excellence across 4 decades. #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/0UgWu1pfOI
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 12, 2020
Serena Williams will step on the court again for her doubles finals with Caroline Wozniacki against the American pair – Taylor Townsend and Asia Muhammad.
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It is the 12th time the 38-year-old has reached the singles and doubles final of the same tournament. In 10 out of 11 past instances, she managed to sweep both showpieces, most recently at 2016 Wimbledon Championships.
