Venus Williams captured her third trophy in Dubai and first title in 16 months by calmly dispatching Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-3, 6-0 at the Aviation Club on Saturday.
The 33-year-old American has taken her winning streak in Dubai to 15, having won the title in 2009 and 2010 and having missed the events in between.
Cornet, who took out the younger Williams sister, Serena, in the semi-finals the night before, was bidding to win her fourth career title and first since Strasbourg last season, but Venus proved too strong for the 24-year-old to handle.
It was Cornet who drew first blood, getting her hands on a break point in the third game on a double fault from Venus. The American saved it with a thunderous 187km/hr service winner but a couple of forehand errors from Williams, gave Cornet another break point and the break for a 2-1 lead.
But Venus broke back immediately, first creating a chance with a brilliant down the line backhand passing shot before benefitting from a netted backhand error from Cornet to level.
It was the start of a four-game run for Venus, who forced Cornet to save two set points before the Frenchwoman held for 3-5.
Venus took the set the following game though, hitting another monster down the line backhand which left Cornet scrambling. Venus raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, breaking twice despite an incredible Rafael Nadal-like curling forehand passing shot from Cornet to save one of the break points.
The seven-time major champion had to save two break points in the fourth game, but held on and broke again for a 5-0 lead. Venus had to fight off two break points when serving for the title, but sealed the championship on her second match point when Cornet sent a forehand wide.
It was Venus’ 647th career victory, the most won by any of the active WTA players, and it was her first Premier title since winning Dubai in 2010.
Venus said she didn’t know the secret behind her continued success in Dubai. “I don’t know, I need to play here every year,” joked Venus on court after her win.
“If I can figure out why I play well here I can make it happen in other tournaments. I tried to put it all together, right until the last game. Alize never gives up so I had to give it my all.”
