Serena shuts out Schnyder to win Bangalore title

By Sanjay Rajan

BANGALORE (Reuters) - Former world number one Serena Williams flexed her muscles on the big points to shut out Swiss world number 12 Patty Schnyder in the final of the Bangalore Open on Sunday.

American world number 11 Williams was inconsistent for the most part but drew from her wealth of experience to edge out fourth seed Schnyder 7-5 6-3 in 83 minutes for her first title of the season.

"I don't think I was at my best. Patty played real good. She forced me to bring my game out," Williams told a news conference.

"I focused on not making many errors. I went for enough," she added.

Third seed Williams, who beat older sister and world number seven Venus in the semi-finals on Saturday, was stretched by left-handed Schnyder, who subtly varied her angles to tire her opponent.

But the American, playing her first tournament since the Australian Open quarter-final in January, was up to the task and to every trick thrown at her by her opponent.

Williams, who skipped tournaments in February to recover from dental surgery, broke her opponent in the sixth game of the opening set, but lost her serve immediately and admonished herself.

The first set was tied at 5-5 when Williams, 26, went up a gear.