Serena Williams wins third Charleston title

Serena-Williams_Charleston (South Carolina), April 8 : World No. 1 Serena Williams has won her third Family Circle Cup title in Charleston after battling back from a set down to defeat Jelena Jankovic in the final.

The American took the title Sunday on a tense tiebreak in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) victory that puts her on 49 WTA titles, one short of a mark reached by just nine players in history.

"I felt so close in that first set. I felt like I could have been up 3-0," Williams said on the WTA website.

"After that I just got really relaxed and was like, 'Serena, you have to chill out and not get crazy and if you win, great. If not, you're trying. She's playing really well. Just try and do the best you can'."

Jankovic rued some games in the second set where she let Williams back into the fight while holding a commanding lead.

"In the second set I had 40-15 in that first game and then again in another couple of games I had 40-15, 40-0. I should have focused and won those games," the Serbian said.

"Of course, she's going to go up and feel much better and she's again in control. That was unfortunate for me."

The win was Williams' sixth in 10 meetings with former world No. 1 Jankovic, who is on a strong run in recent weeks that has included a title win in Bogota.(IANS)