Former world number one Serena Williams flexed her muscles on the big points to shut out Swiss world number 12 Patty Schnyder in the final of the Bangalore Open.

American world number 11 Williams was inconsistent for the most part but drew from her wealth of experience to edge out fourth seed Schnyder 7-5 6-3 in 83 minutes for her first title of the season.

Third seed Williams, who beat older sister and world number seven Venus in the semi-finals on Saturday, was stretched by left-handed Schnyder, who subtly varied her angles to tire her opponent.

But the American, playing her first tournament since the Australian Open quarter-final in January, was up to the task and to every trick thrown at her by her opponent.

Williams, who skipped tournaments in February to recover from dental surgery, broke her opponent in the sixth game of the opening set, but lost her serve immediately and admonished herself.

But Williams, who ended on the wrong side of the result in both of their meetings last year, broke Schnyder in the 12th to win the opening set.

Schnyder went up 3-1 in the second set against an inconsistent Serena, but the multiple grand slam winner came back strongly, winning the next five games to wrap up the match.

Reuters