Serena ousts Capriati

Williams won on her first appearance at the tournament

Serena Williams earned her first title of the year by beating Jennifer Capriati 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the final of the State Farm Women's Tennis Classic in Scottsdale.

It was Williams' first appearance in the event and her first tournament since spraining her right ankle in January.

Capriati's defeat means that Serena's sister Venus will keep her world number one ranking.

Serena herself will move up from nine to six when the new rankings come out this week.

Sharp start

Third seed Williams began briskly, breaking top seed Capriati in the first, third and fifth games to lead 5-0.

Capriati broke back in the sixth game and then held service for the first time in the match but Williams raced through her own service game to clinch the opening set.

Capriati fought back in the second, countering Williams' strength with some penetrating groundstrokes and lobs.

The Australian Open champion broke Williams in the second and fourth games to lead 3-1.

Capriati was broken in the ninth game but broke back a game later to secure the second set.

In the final set, Capriati double-faulted three times in the third game, the third service error handing her opponent the break.

Williams went on the claim the championship in style with a 112mph ace - her second of that game and her 11th of the match.