Serena Williams Wins Final

Serena Williams overcame Julie Halard-Decugis with her power and some pinpoint shots to win the Acura Classic 6-1, 6-4 Sunday, her first title since March.

Williams will move up to No. 9 in the WTA Tour rankings Monday, her second time in the world's top 10 this year. Her older sister, Venus, is already there.

"She was unbelievable," Halard-Decugis said. "She is improving a lot. She played like number one."

Williams isn't there yet, but it's her foremost goal.

"I'm definitely trying to be the best I can be and that's the top spot," the 17-year-old said. "I'm pretty serious about that. I definitely feel it's in reach."

Playing her first singles tournament in two months and only her ninth of the year, the sixth-seeded Williams upset top-ranked Martina Hingis in the semifinals with her impressive power game.

She wasn't quite as accurate in the final. Williams hit 25 winners to Halard-Decugis' 12, but had 24 unforced errors. Halard-Decugis had the same number of errors.

"I played better last night. I was a little nervous maybe in the beginning," Williams said.

"I made too many errors on key points. Several times I believe I was up 30-love and I would just give two points away and it was really out of control. I shouldn't do that," she said.

Halard-Decugis, who will be ranked a career-high 11th Monday, defeated third-seeded Mary Pierce and top-seeded Lindsay Davenport to reach the final.

Williams broke her French opponent twice in the first set, which she won in 29 minutes with one of her seven aces.

The players stayed on serve in the second until Williams broke for a 3-2 lead. Twice Halard-Decugis had the advantage, but committed double faults. Williams won the game on her fourth break point when Halard-Decugis netted a forehand.

"You have to serve very well because she's so good on receiving the serve," Halard-Decugis said. "She made a lot of pressure on my serve. I tried to make points with my forehand and maybe I push too much."

Williams led 4-2 before Halard-Decugis won two straight games, breaking Williams with a forehand winner down the line off the teen-ager's second serve to tie the set.

In the ninth game, Halard-Decugis led 40-love before netting three consecutive forehands for deuce. She had two more advantages, but again double-faulted. Williams hit a backhand passing shot off a smash by Halard-Decugis, who netted another forehand for the pivotal break.

"I never give up," Williams said. "When was down, I was just thinking, OK, just get another point back in play and make her make the shot. That's what I did. I came up with some good shots and she missed a few."

Williams trailed 30-love on her serve in the final game, but she came up with a backhand winner on the line and another ace. She netted a backhand volley on her first match point, then won the mtch on Halard-Decugis' netted backhand.

Williams earned $80,000 and a new car for her third title of the year.

"This is great because I have yet another tournament under me," she said. "I really succeed on hardcourts, so I'm really looking forward to going to the (U.S.) Open."

All week, Williams had said she planned to treat herself to a glittering necklace she spotted in a local shop if she won.

"The first stop will be the jewelry store," she said, laughing.

©1999 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed