ROME 2013: Serena Slams Vika 61 63 For 51st Title

Serena Williams extended her winning streak to 24 matches in a row by defeating Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 to win her 51st WTA title, the 2013 Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Serena has won all 16 matches on clay played this year, claiming titles in Charleston (d. Jelena Jankovic), Madrid (d. Maria Sharapova) and Rome, with Roland Garros starting next Monday May 27th in Paris. She is now clearly the #1 player in the world and the clear favorite to win her second French Open title.

Serena hit 41 winners to 19 unforced errors and only at 6-1 3-4 on serve with Azarenka serving at 40-15 did the match seem potentially in question, but Serena broke back and served out the next game and match with two aces. She improved her dominance over World #3 Azarenka to 12-2, getting revenge for her 3-set loss to Vika in the 2013 Doha final. Ominously for the rest of the field, that was Serena's last loss, and at age 31 it is looking like she may not lose another match until she turns 32!