Serena Williams sends Olympics message with emphatic warm-up victory

STANFORD, USA // Serena Williams won her second singles title in as many weeks by beating compatriot Coco Vandeweghe in the final of the Bank of the West Classic.

While this one may not have quite the prestige of the fifth Wimbledon crown she won eight days ago, it could hardly have been more emphatic as she carved through the draw in Stanford without losing a set.

Indeed, before the final she had lost only three games.

World number 120 Vandeweghe, who had not been even to a WTA Tour semi-final before this week, made life a little more difficult breaking twice early on and serving for the first set at 5-4.

But that was as good as it got for the 21-year-old as Williams saved set point, broke back and took the set, before making easier work of the second.

Next stop for Williams will be the Olympics, while Vandeweghe is projected to rise to number 75 in the world.

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