Venus Williams wins her first title in 14 months

Final Result
By Etienne Stekelenburg
April 19 2004

American Venus Williams defeats Conchita Martinez of Spain in three sets 2-6 6-2 6-1 at the Family Circle Cup final in Charleston USA. After slow start Williams picked up her aggressive style of playing to win her first title in 14 months after injuries.

Williams who was out for six months with an abdominal muscle strain injury last won a WTA title in February 2003. She did beat Kim Clijsters at the Proximus Diamond Games final in Antwerp, Belgium.

The Spanish clay court specialist won the Family Circle Cup twice before won the first set after breaking the Williams serve two times. Williams had 10 winners and 16 unforced errors to add to the first set statistics.

"The first set, I wasn't moving forward enough, and I just really was making too many mistakes," Williams said.Venus Williams get her wake up call and started the second set with her aggressive style of playing. Conchita Martinez never had the chance to get back into the match.

"I think I stopped doing whatever I was doing in the first set," Martinez said. "It's sort of tough to play against her. The ball comes differently."

Martinez only won a few points after the first set and lost most of the hard hitting rallies.

After Williams won her 30th WTA title she said she was really excited about her win and that this was going to start this season from this tournament.

About losing the first set Williams said that it was a little shaky for her, she was trying to adjust to Martinez’s game. Getting really aggressive was the key to her success and 30th title.

She also said that she had never played in front of a crowd that was so supportive to her. Sometimes the crowd is rooting for the underdog even in the US. It felt unusual to her that everybody was showing support.