Serena Williams won her fourth consecutive title of the year in dominating fashion Sunday, beating third-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3 in the Italian Open final.
The top-ranked American will enter the French Open, which starts next Sunday, on a career-best 24-match winning streak.
Williams was coming off consecutive titles in Miami; Charleston, South Carolina; and Madrid last week.
She didn't drop a set while winning this title.
Williams' only previous title at this clay-court event came in 2002, when she beat Justine Henin in the final.
That was also the year she won her only title at Roland Garros. Last year in Paris, Williams lost in the opening round of a major for the first time, falling to 111th-ranked Virginie Razzano of France.
Later, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were renewing their rivalry in the men's final at the Foro Italico.
On a pleasant spring day, Williams immediately took control by breaking Azarenka's serve twice to take a 3-0 lead in the opening set.
The 15-time Grand Slam winner slugged winners at will off both Azarenka's first and second serves, stepping into the court to dictate play at every opportunity.
Azarenka grew distraught at the end of the first set, twice slamming her racket on the court in desperation.
After trading breaks midway through the second set, Williams took control again when Azarenka double faulted to hand her a 5-3 lead. Williams then served out the match at love and let out a big scream when she unleashed a backhand winner down the line to close it out.
Williams held a massive 41-12 edge in winners and served nine aces to Azarenka's none.
