PARIS, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Serena Williams ruined the hopes of the French crowd by thrashing Amelie Mauresmo, 6-3, 6-2, Sunday in the final of the Open Gaz de France.
The world No. 1 needed just 70 minutes to extend her WTA Tour winning streak to 11 matches. She is 15-0 in 2003 after helping the United States win the Hopman Cup - an exhibition - in January.
The 21-year-old Williams captured the Australian Open last month to become only the fifth woman in tennis history to hold all four majors at the same time.
"I'm really happy that I could come here after winning a Grand Slam and keep up the level of intensity," she said. "In fact, I definitely played better here than in Melbourne."
Williams, who earned $93,000 for her 21st career crown, has won 50 of her last 52 matches - capturing eight of 10 tournaments over that span. She tied the tournament record for least number of games lost en route to the title (17) set by Steffi Graf in 1995.
The American's first title came at this event in 1999, when she defeated Mauresmo in the final. She also kept the crown in the family. Her older sister, Venus, won the title last year.
Williams will take some time off before returning to action at the State Farm Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona on Feb. 24.
Despite enduring her fifth loss to Williams in as many meetings, Mauresmo was happy with her performance this week. This is the first event of the season for the 23-year-old, who was sidelined for four months with cartilage inflammation of the right knee since mid-October last year.
"I wasn't sure last Tuesday whether I would be able to play here or not (due to a groin injury)," Mauresmo said. "But I'm happy I made it to the final and played some good tennis along the way."
Mauresmo, the 2001 champion here, will move up to No. 6 in the rankings next week.
