Serena Williams defeats Sorana Cirstea to win 2013 Rogers Cup

Top ranked Serena Williams finished the 2013 Rogers Cup with exactly the same result as her previous four matches leading up to Sunday's final - a win in straight sets.

The 31-year-old captured her third title at this event, defeating upstart Romanian, Sorana Cirstea (6-2, 6-0). Cirstea ranks 27th in the world and was not seeded in the main draw.

In a game of power, the two traded hard forehand and backhand shots from the baseline and unleashed high speed serves throughout the 65 minute match. In the end, it was the veteran, who proved to be just too much.

Williams broke Cirstea's serve three times in the first set including twice in the first three games to go up 3-0.

"I definitely started early. I always try to do that in every match," Williams said about her quick jump out of the gate. "I try to win as many games as I can, it doesn't always work out, but that's what I always try to do."

Cirstea, who showed an ability this week to come from behind, pulled within one game of tying the set by breaking Williams and then holding serve to pull within one at 3-2.

"I actually think the start was not as bad as the score showed," Cirstea said. "The first three games, I actually had really good chances in all of them, so I could have been up 3-Love. Sadly, I found myself down 3-0 a little bit too quick."

As the set wore on, she lost any momentum she had going forward by hitting the net on several key points.

Williams closed out the set with a hard serve that sailed high and out of play on Cirstea's return.

She then left off where she finished, pouring it on in the second set and save for a spirited final game, cruised to victory by blanking the 23-year-old.

"I actually think she got better as the match went along," Cristea said. "There is a reason we have a ranking and why she is on top of that ranking. She is the No. 1 player and she's proving that every single time she is stepping on the court."

Cirstea reached just the third final of her career in stunning fashion, taking down two former top ranked players before moving on to beat both the 2012 Rogers Cup champion (Petra Kvitova) and the runner up (Li Na). She last played in a championship match in 2008.

Cirstea was the first Romanian woman in 33 years to play in the final at this tournament since Virginia Ruzici lost to American Chris Evert in 1980.

There was a large vocal contingent of Romanian fans amongst the capacity crowd which in part, may have contributed to her emotional tear-filled speech during the ceremony after the match.

"Usually I'm quite emotional but of course I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted to play better. I think even if I won today, I would still be crying, I didn't expect to be that emotional but that's me, you know," she said. "It was an incredible atmosphere and made me feel like (I was) at home. The whole time they were screaming, they were always supporting me and saying positive things. I'm looking forward to coming back here because it has been an amazing week. Hopefully I can keep this going."

As for Williams, she lived up to her top billing yet again, taking home her eighth title this year. Even though she has won multiple Grand Slams, she is grateful every time she can pull out a win - no matter where she plays.

"No tournament is ever easy, especially being in the position I am in. The tournament starts and they expect you to win," said Williams earned $426,000 for her victory to clear the $5 million mark this year.

"It's a lot of pressure and it's not easy. So everything is, for me, a bonus and a blessing to get this far."

She is now 3-1 in finals appearances at the Rogers Cup and is a perfect 3-0 in Toronto. Her only loss was to Martina Hingis in Montreal 13 years ago.

"For me this is a big tournament," said Williams. "This is one of the big stops of the year."

Williams had been displeased with her play coming into action. She hopes to continue ramping up her game ahead of the U.S. Open which takes place later this month.

"I took some time off and I was really disappointed in how I played last month even though I won in Sweden, so I went home and was working with my dad a lot and just going back to the basics." she said. "I didn't show it so much this tournament, hopefully I can continue to bring that game out."