Serena Williams skipped and grinned and blew kisses, a little surprised to be a champion so soon after an eight-month layoff following her Wimbledon title.
The boldest, brashest player in women's tennis exceeded even her own expectations at the Nasdaq-100 Open. Williams culminated her Key Biscayne comeback Saturday with a performance worthy of her Wonder Woman outfit, routing Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-1, 6-1.
The 50-minute women's final was the most one-sided in the 20-year history of the tournament.
"I think the rust has definitely worn off," Williams said. "Honestly, I didn't expect to win my first tournament back."
The top-seeded Williams, returning from knee surgery Aug. 1, lost just one set en route to her third consecutive Key Biscayne title. And she was at her most overwhelming against Dementieva.
"She's a great player," Dementieva said, "and it's just amazing how well she played after this break."
Williams wore the tank top and hot pants she refers to as her Wonder Woman ensemble, and she looked the part, winning 12 consecutive points early to take control and running off 11 consecutive games.
The last top woman to win a title in her first tournament following a layoff of at least six months was Monica Seles, who was sidelined more than two years after being stabbed and won her first comeback event in Toronto in 1995.
"I used her as inspiration," Williams said. "I thought, `If Monica can do it, maybe I can at least win a few rounds.'"
Williams slipped to sixth in the rankings during her prolonged layoff.
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