ROME, May 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Serena Williams of the United States
won the first claycourt title of her career on Sunday when she
defeated Justine Henin of Belgium with a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6), 6-
4 win in Italian Open women's tennis tournament.
   It was a revenge for the fourth seed American who had lost the
final of last week's German Open to fifth-ranked Henin in a third-
set tie-break.
   Williams had to work hard for her win, though, needing six set
points to put Henin away in the first set, which needed an hour
and nine minutes.
   Henin saved three set points at 4-5 down and two more in the
tiebreaker before a netted backhand from the Belgian finally gave
Williams the advantage.
   The second set was just as close, with Williams breaking for a
4-3 lead before being pegged back.
   The third break of serve in a row decided matters, giving
Williams the chance to serve for the title.
   Williams has won three tournaments this year having secured
hardcourt titles in Scottsdale and Miami.  Enditem