The former world tennis number one, Serena Williams, has been crowned the ASB Women's Classic champion last night, winning over any New Zealand doubters.

The 38-year-old, considered among the very greatest of women's tennis players, had a torrid time last outing in Auckland - she was dispatched in the second round in 2017, complaining of "atrocious conditions".

She had lost five consecutive finals before she won last night and endured a three-year title drought. But last night felt like a coronation. Felicity Reid was there.