First title in nine months for Williams
Serena Williams beat Madison Keys in straight sets to win the Italian Open – her first WTA title in nine months.
The world number one beat her fellow American 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to triumph in Rome for the fourth time since 2002.
Williams, 34, last won a title in Cincinnati in August, and has since lost finals at the US Open, Australian Open and Indian Wells.
She will begin the defence of her French Open title when the tournament gets under way next Sunday.
Experience tells in all-American clash
Williams showed the value of experience as she claimed her 70th career title in her 89th final – with Keys playing only her second.
Keys, 21, broke serve in the opening game and matched Williams for power throughout, but a loose service game allowed the top seed to level at 3-3.
Williams edged the tie-break, sealing it with a heavy serve, and raced into a 3-0 lead in the second.
Two poor games followed, suggesting the 21-time Grand Slam champion is still some way from her best, but she saw out the set and the match after one hour and 24 minutes.