Intro:

Serena Williams successfully defended her the Italian Open title on Sunday (18 May) after beating Sara Errani 6-3, 6-0 in a final ruined by injury to her opponent.

Script:

Sara Errani walked on court at the Italian Open looking to becoming the first home winner since 1985.

While Serena was looking for her third consecutive title here.

An early Serena break looked an ominous sign for the World No 11.

Yet, she dug deep and forced Williams into an error to take her first game of the match.

However, the Italian seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and she picked up what looked to be a thigh or hip injury when losing her service game to love at 4-3 down.

The World No 1 would serve out to take the first set 6-3 and then break immediately in the third.

Errani looked unable to hit through the ball, yet anything she could muster Serena had too much for her.

Match point came within an hour and ten minutes of play.

The Italian merely looking a hitting partner for the American, with Serena taking the set to love. And the match score 6-3, 6-0.

Williams looks to be in top shape going into Roland Garros a week on Monday in confident mood of defending her Roland Garros title.