Venus Williams thrashes Peer to win comeback event

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb 25 (Reuters) 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 to win the Memphis International.

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

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

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.

REUTERS SBA PM0801