Venus Williams wins Dubai final

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Venus Williams beat Virginie Razzano 6-4, 6-2 Saturday, grabbing the women's title at the Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The victory gave the sixth-seeded Williams her 40th career title, but first this season.

"It was a great week to be able to win against the world's best player, my sister," Williams said, referring to her 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3) semifinal victory Friday against younger sister, Serena.

Venus improved to 3-1 lifetime against her unseeded French opponent, and 7-1 overall in her last eight finals matches.

Razzano, who had beaten top-five players Dinara Safina and Vera Zvonareva earlier, was slowed by back stiffness in the nearly non-competitive second set.

In her previous match with Williams, the 2007 Japan Open final, Razzano pulled off an upset by saving three match points in the second set.