Venus Williams thrashes Peer for comeback title

Venus Williams put the seal on her comeback after more than four months out through injury as she crushed Israeli top seed Shahar Peer 6-1 6-1 on Saturday to win the Memphis International.

The former world number one cruised to victory over the world number 17, sealing her success in 68 minutes to win her 34th career title.

Williams crunched a forehand down the line to secure her first tournament victory since her triumph at Wimbledon in 2005.

"It's been a wonderful week," Williams said.

"As soon as I knew I was going to play against her, I felt confident. I love a challenge and I just felt really clear about what I was going to do and how I was going to execute."

The American played just one event after Wimbledon last year - in Luxembourg in October - and had struggled for form in the early rounds in Memphis.

Against Peer, though, the winner of five grand-slam titles was dominant from the start, breaking in the second and sixth games on her way to the first set.

It was the same story in the second as Williams overpowered Peer in all departments, breaking in the third, fifth and seventh games to take the title.

Peer said she had watched Williams in her semi-final against Laura Granville and had been expecting a few more errors from the former world number one.

"I didn't see her play like this all this week," she said.

"I think she played her best match of the week today and she is a great player."