Serena Wins Third NASDAQ Title

The punishing shots, lopsided result and crystal championship trophy served as confirmation: Serena Williams is back. With a performance worthy of her Wonder Woman outfit, Williams culminated her NASDAQ comeback Saturday by beating Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-1 in the final of the NASDAQ-100 Open.

The 50-minute match was the most one-sided women's final in the 20-year history of the tournament.

Playing in her first event after an eight-month layoff following knee surgery, the top-seeded Williams lost just one set en route to her third consecutive Key Biscayne title. And she was at her most overwhelming against Dementieva.

"I think the rust has definitely worn off," Williams said. "Honestly, I didn't expect to win my first tournament back."

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. When Dementieva sent her final shot long, Williams raised her arms and gleefully skipped to the net.

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.'"