Serena ignores boos to take title

Serena Williams - scrappy but effective

Serena Williams showed real maturity to come from behind and win the Indian Wells title with a 4-6 6-4 6-2 victory over rising star Kim Clijsters in front of a hostile crowd.

The younger of the Williams' sisters incurred the wrath of the crowd because of her route to the final - elder sister Venus pulled out of the their semi-final with a knee injury.

I want to thank those of you who supported me and those of you who didn't support me, I love you anyway

  Serena Williams

In a patchy match between two players tipped to dominate the womens' game for years to come, Williams' greater experience was the significant factor.

"I would like to thank my God, Jehovah, for giving me the strength to compete today since you guys were a little tough on me today," said Williams, who picks up a check of $330,0000.

"I want to thank those of you who supported me and those of you who didn't support me, I love you anyway," she quipped.

This was the second Indian Wells title for Williams, who also lifted the champion's trophy in 1999.

The 17-year-old Clijsters had the early momentum, but her mental toughness does not yet equal her physical strength and she handed the final back to Williams to win.

With a one-set advantage, Clijsters had a chance to go ahead 5-3 at 30-40 in the eighth game of the second set on Williams's serve.

Failure

A service break there would have allowed Clijsters to serve for the match.

Her failure to take advantage of that moment made all the difference as the 19-year-old Williams took control of the contest from that point.

Clijsters, who earned $162,000, surrendered her serve in the ninth game of the second set to enable Williams to even the score at one set apiece in the next game.

In the third set, Williams raced out to a 5-1 lead as Clijsters dropped her serve in the third and fifth games.

Neither player was at the top of her game. The pair combined for 74 unforced errors and 10 service breaks.