Serena Williams' third title of the season raises her to sixth in the world
rankings.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES (APRIL 20, 2008) UCOM

-Serena Williams recovered from a second-set lapse to win her third
WTA title of the year by beating Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the
Family Circle Cup final on Sunday (April 20).
    The fifth-seeded American fought back from an early break down in the
third set to wrap up victory in one hour 50 minutes.
    Williams, 26, broke the ninth-seeded Russian in the third game of the
match on the green clay surface and held serve to take the first set when her
opponent netted a forehand.
    After surprisingly losing the second set as her frustrations mounted,
Williams broke Zvonareva twice in the third set to clinch the 31st WTA title
of her career.
    Williams, who had previously won titles in Bangalore and Miami this
season, appeared to have the match firmly in control after claiming the
opening set in 39 minutes.
    Frustrated by in her inability to convert several break opportunities
early in the second set, the muscular American failed to hold serve in the
sixth game, double-faulting to trail 2-4.
    World number 17 Zvonareva, taking advantage, served out to claim the
set and level the match.
    Williams was again broken in the third game of the final set but
immediately broke back when the 23-year-old Russian hit a forehand wide for
2-2.
    Regaining confidence, Williams, who will rise to sixth in the world
when the rankings are issued on Monday, broke Zvonareva in the eighth game and
held serve to seal victory.