Auckland - Venus Williams displayed her advanced preparation for the Australian Open by beating Caroline Wozniacki 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Saturday's final of the ASB Classic.
Wozniacki swept through the first set in 30 minutes on the back of a series of unforced errors by Williams and seemed headed for her 23rd career title when she broke in the opening game of the second set.
But Williams turned the momentum from the middle of the set, breaking back and then going on the offensive with a more accurate serve and with powerful forehand groundstrokes.
Wozniacki continued to fight but Williams assumed the upper hand, breaking Wozniacki early in the third set, then clinching the match with a further service break after her opponent had saved two match points.
Sapa-AP