Triumphant Bartoli aiming for top five

France's Marion Bartoli was aiming for higher accolades and hoping to break into the world's top five after she upset seven-times grand slam champion Venus Williams 6-2 5-7 6-4 to win the Stanford Classic on Sunday.

"If I keep playing like this... I'll have a good chance to do well at the US Open and then keep the same level throughout the year, then I can be in the top five," said Bartoli, who rose to number 13 when the new rankings were issued yesterday.

The Stanford title was Bartoli's fifth overall, but the first time the 24-year-old has won a WTA premier level event and she said her success can be attributed to her improved physical condition and her maturity.

"I know what to do on the big points, I know what my strengths are, and I improved my weaknesses as well," she said.

"I've also improved my movement a lot and physically to be able to hang in there against these types of players it's important to me mentally.

"What makes me special is that I'm really mentally tough. To beat Venus means a lot to me and I know I can beat the best players when I'm on and focused."

Bartoli dominated the back court rallies, served and returned with aggression and shook off a case of nerves that cost her the second set.

The eighth seed served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but played passively and was broken by twice Stanford champion Williams, who then won the set when Bartoli double faulted.

"I was just getting tighter and tighter and Venus felt it right away and she came up with some great winners," Bartoli said.

But the Frenchwoman, thrashed by the American in the 2007 Wimbledon final, kept charging and after breaking Williams to 4-3 in the third set, held her nerve.

She fell behind 0-30 in the final game, but then nailed four straight winners, including a big serve to win the contest.