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Serena extends Williams's streak

Reigning US Open champion Serena Williams tuned up her title defence with a characteristically power-packed display, to produce a come-from-behind win in the final of the Los Angeles Open hardcourt tournament. She defeated second-ranked Lindsay Davenport, the reigning Olympic champion, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) to register her fifth straight win over Davenport.

This extends a winning streak for the Williams family that began in Wimbledon this year. Elder sister Venus took her first Grand Slam title on the grass of Wimbledon, after ousting Serena at the semifinal stage.

With Serena out of action for a spell, Venus maintained the running with wins in Stanford and San Diego. And now Serena is back, with a win that extends the Williams sisters' streak to four straight titles.

This was Serena's 7th career title and second for the year. She now has a 20-4 hardcourt record, which serves as a nice warning of what her opponents can expect at Flushing Meadows when the US Open kicks off. She will turn 19 next month.

Davenport started in goodstyle, winning the first set, but then her bogey against Serena seemed to resurface as she failed to capitalise on numerous chances. Her main problem came with her first serve, and Serena capitalised, brutally punishing her opponent's weaker second serves.

Davenport's only point in the deciding tie-break came when she produced a forehand winner to take the score to 1-1. Serena then won the next six points in a row, to shut her opponent out.

"I made too many mistakes," Williams later admitted.

Davenport has held the LA Open title in 1996 and 1998. This year has been a particularly bad one for the reigning Olympic champion, with only two titles.