Dubai, UAE - Venus Williams won her first title of the season as she claimed the Barclays Championships on her fourth attempt with a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Virginie Razzano on Saturday.

Williams, seeded sixth, followed up her second straight defeat of her sister Serena in the semi-finals as she beat the 58th-ranked Frenchwomen in just over 90 minutes.

Razzano, who prepared after her own semi-final win with a spa treatment and a beer with dinner, was stretched out on court with a back problem after the seventh game of the opening set, trailing 3-4 on serve.

Williams ended the set with a break and found herself bogged down in a lengthy opening game to start the second.

After breaking free for 5-0, the American hit trouble as Razzano saved two match points in a fighting sixth game then broke Williams for 2-5.

Razzano continued her heroics, saving another match point before finally going down with a low return into the net.

"It was a great match and I'm happy to have finely won the title," said one-time quarter and semi-finalist Williams. "Virginie played tough."

Williams will return to the Top 5 from sixth for the first time since the week of August 25, 2003 after half a decade in the wilderness.

Williams claimed her 40th career singles title. Dating to the 2007 season, the elder Williams has won seven of her last eight finals appearances.

Her lone loss in a title match came at 2007 Tokyo against Razzano. (dpa)