Serena Williams confessed her Sony Ericsson Open victory ranked high in her career successes after she benefited from a forgiving net cord to beat Justin Henin 0-6 7-5 6-3 on Saturday to win the title for the fourth time.

Henin looked like the best female player in the world after winning the first seven games from Williams, including a service break to start the second set.

But Williams broke back and received a standing ovation after it took 39 minutes for her to win a game.

"I'm pretty resilient," Williams said.

"I feel like when I get down, a part of me just plays better, and I think all champions have that. When they get down, you can't hold them down."

Williams was twice one point from defeat with Henin serving with a 5-4 lead in the second set.

"I remember thinking 'I don't want to lose this fast. At least let it last an hour,"' Williams added.

Down 15-40, Williams saved the first match point when her return skimmed off the top of the net and followed with a forehand winner. She then reached deuce when Henin hit an errant backhand.

Two points later, Henin tumbled to the court and scraped her knee.

Williams won the next six points en route to winning the last three games of the set.

"I felt I had the match under control (before stumbling), but the match turned over," Henin said.

"Serena is a fighter. She never gives up. She played better than me on the important points."

Williams won the first three games of the third set to complete the turnaround only for Henin to level at 3-3.

Henin threatened to break Williams' serve in the ninth game, but Williams won the last five points, capped by a service winner which handcuffed Henin.

After the victory, Williams dropped her racket and raised her index finger.

"This ranks pretty high," Williams said.

"I don't know if I was down in a championship match and came back like that. I'm not sure."

With a 15-1 record this year, Williams has displayed a renewed commitment to the sport after over a year of injuries and distractions.

Playing in her first event since winning the Australian Open, Williams posted straight-sets victories in each of her first four matches before her comeback against Henin.

Henin entered the match with a 15-1 record this year and had replaced Sharapova as the number one player in the world last Monday.

Sharapova was beaten in straight sets here by Williams.

Williams had not played Henin since a straight-sets victory in the Wimbledon semi-final in 2003.

She now holds a 6-3 edge in the all-time series.