SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 3 (UPI) -- Serena Williams did her sister a big favor Sunday by defeating fellow American Jennifer Capriati to capture the State Farm Classic.
The third-seeded Williams held off top-seeded Capriati, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, to triumph in her debut at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
Capriati needed the victory to regain the top spot in the WTA rankings after losing the position to Venus Williams a week ago.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams earned $93,000 with the win and will have moved herself up one place to No. 6 in the world when the new rankings are unveiled Monday.
Williams won her first tournament since being forced to retire from the semifinals at Sydney due to an ankle injury. That also kept her out of the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old Williams recorded her 12th career WTA crown and her first this year. She picked up three in 2001, winning at Indian Wells, Toronto and the season-ending event in Munich.
Capriati had not dropped a set on her way through the draw.
After receiving a first-round bye, the two-time reigning Australian Open champion got past compatriot Alexandra Stevenson, Barbara Schett of Austria and Nathalie Dechy of France.
However, Capriati still owns a 4-3 edge in her career series with Serena Williams Capriati defended her Australian Open title in January, when she also extended her streak of Grand Slam semifinal appearances to five.
