This Article is From May 16, 2010

Rezai stuns Venus to win Madrid title

Madrid:

Unheralded Aravane Rezai thrustherself into contention as a Roland Garros threat on Sunday with astunning 6-2, 7-5 victory over Venus Williams to win the Madrid Mastersafter a week-long, giant-killing run.

The upset in just under oneand three-quarter hours marked the biggest success in the career of the23-year-old Frenchwoman, whose previous two WTA titles were inStrasbourg and Bali.

Sunday's victory was Rezai's third majortriumph this week after knocking out former number one players JustineHenin in the first round and Jelena Jankovic in the quarters.

Williams,who was chasing a 44th career crown, was run down in the 27-minuteopening set and was unable to take advantage of a 4-1 lead in thesecond.

Instead of folding and saving strength for a decidingthird set, Rezai, who hits every ball with brute force, managed to clawher way back, saved a Williams set point in the eighth game and fivemore a game later to hold for 5-all.

A break of the frustratedAmerican gave Rezai a 6-5 lead, with the number 24 calmly serving outthe biggest victory of her career a game later.

"I just cannot believe this, said the stunned winner.

"Sheplayed very well and I've always respected her as a player and achampion. I just tried my best today and it worked well for me."

Williams,winner of nine clay titles, limited herself to one sentence during thepainful trophy ceremony: "She played well, congratulations," said theAmerican who despite the setback will return to the world number tworanking on Monday behind sister Serena.

Rezai now stands 9-4 onclay this season and will have it all to prove with the French Opengetting underway on Sunday and where she will be added to the list ofdangerous outsiders.

The 23-year-old of Iranian heritage hashad limited success on clay until this week, going only into the secondround at Marbella, losing in the first round at Barcelona, and going1-1 in Fed Cup against Germany on the surface.

She then lost in the Rome second round last week.

Rezaimade the most of her chances, refusing to roll over in what looked tobe the start of a Williams fightback midway through the second set.

The Frenchwoman converted on five of ten break points while Williams managed to break just twice on 13 opportunities.

Williams came in with title at her last three clay finals - Acapulco in 2009 and 2010 and Istanbul five years ago.

The veteran was playing in her 70th WTA final and stands 43-27.

Rezaiwill move into the top 20 as a result of her efforts and stands 2-1over Williams after beating the American in Istanbul in 2007 whilelosing that year at Amelia Island, both times on clay.

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