Williams eases to maiden Madrid title

Serena Williams eased past world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 in a one-sided final to secure a maiden Madrid Open title.

Williams has been in imperious form all week, laying down a marker with a crushing 6-1 6-3 victory over Maria Sharapova in the quarter-finals. She carried that form into Sunday's final, wrapping up her 41st WTA singles title in 64 minutes. Last year's finalist Azarenka was left disappointed for a second successive year. Williams went into the match with an impressive 6-1 head-to-head record against Azarenka and the final duly went to form. Azarenka, in good nick herself with four titles this season, had no answer. The American coasted through the opening set, breaking Azarenka three times and dropping only six points on her own serve. Williams, who hit 14 aces in the contest, served out for the match to send a message to her rivals ahead of the French Open at Roland Garros. The 13-time Grand Slam winner has won 13 consecutive matches on clay.