Serena Williams overcame Monica Niculescu to win in straight sets . The American was the first player from outside Europe or South America to reach a Grand Slam final since Steffi Graf did so at Wimbledon in 1988.
Serena Williams overcame Monica Niculescu to win in straight sets . The World No 1 has not played at Indian Wells since 2001 . She was jeered by fans and allegedly subjected to racist abuse that year . But American was given standing ovation as she made emotional return .