Amelie Mauresmo beat Venus Williams 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 Sunday to win the Diamond Games for her first win of the year, denying the American a $1.3 million gem-encrusted racket.
Williams needed to beat Mauresmo to win the gold-and-diamond trophy, which goes to the first three-time winner in any five-year span. Since she won the title two of the last four years, Williams will have a last shot at the trophy next year.
Mauresmo trailed almost throughout the three-set thriller at the sold-out, 14,600-capacity Sports Palace in Antwerp, Belgium. Williams went ahead 4-2 in the final set before unraveling.
“That was so satisfying,” Mauresmo said.
– Roger Federer defeated Ivan Ljubicic 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5) to win the ABN Amro indoor tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
– Unseeded Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark upset No. 8 seed Max Mirnyi 7-5, 7-5 to win the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis.
