MIAMI, (Reuters) – Proving there is no place like home, world number one Serena Williams swept past China’s Li Na 7-5 6-1 in the final of the Sony Open yesterday, collecting a record seventh win on the Miami hardcourts.
Williams, who lives an hour’s drive from the Tennis Center at Crandon Park and considers the tournament her home event, treated the second ranked Li like an unwelcome guest, needing just two hours on a steamy centre court to collect her 59th career title, the $787,000 winner’s purse pushing her career earnings over $55 million.
In 14 appearances at the Miami event Williams has driven back to her Palm Beach Gardens home with the trophy half the time, her seven titles two better than the five each she has won at Australian, U.S. Open and Wimbledon grand slams.
