Venus Williams ends long victory drought

American Venus Williams earned her first victory since February 2010 Sunday, downing Romania's Monica Niculescu in the final of the Luxembourg Open. Williams dispatched Niculescu 6-2, 6-3, snapping the longest victory drought in the 32-year-old former world No. 1's career. Her previous victory came at the 2010 Acapulco event. "Coming to the tournament this week I was just trying to play well," Williams said. "I didn't know if I could win this event, so to stand here as the winner is a wonderful way for me to end the year, and it really makes me look forward to next year as well." Niculescu was appearing in just her second career final after falling to Victoria Azarenka at the 2011 Luxembourg event.