Williams says she is now targeting a return to the world number one spot

Venus Williams beat Virginie Razzano 6-4 6-2 in the final of the Dubai Open to return to the world's top five for the first time in six years.

In her champion's speech Williams said it was "a shame that one of our players couldn't be here", a direct reference to the absent Shahar Peer.

In her later news conference she added: "I thought she had to be mentioned."

The event was mired in controversy after Israel's Peer was refused a visa to enter Dubai.

The tournament organisers have been fined $300,000 (�207,000) after Peer was refused entry to the United Arab Emirates, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Williams said Peer had been "brave" to compete in the region in 2008 and that she had the right to play wherever she wanted.

"I thought of Althea Gibson who was excluded," she added, referring to the woman who overcame discrimination and exclusion to become Wimbledon's first black champion in 1957.

606: DEBATE Razzano hits the ball well, and is very mobile. Do you think she could be a name for the near future? slushington

"She played and I thought of people who stood up and played with her when no-one else would," added Williams, who was the first black women to be ranked number one in the world.

"My dad grew up in a place where if you spoke too much, it was your life. I had a small opportunity to say something where everyone would listen.

"I am not hear to rock the boat or upset anyone - I'm just here to try to do what's right, to represent what's right, and I think the right things will happen next week on the men's tour."

Following the furore over Peer, Israel's Andy Ram has been given a visa to play in next week's men's event in Dubai.

In the final itself Williams, who beat her sister and world number one Serena in the semi-finals, eased past Razzano in straight sets.

Asked whether she might now replace her younger sibling at the top of the rankings the 28-year-old was clear.

"Well, I would love to be the best in the world - and I am coming. So I am going to try," she said.

The opening set of the final was closely contested, with Williams's serve giving her the edge at the beginning.

However, the quality of Razzano's returns helped her get into the match and Williams was forced to fight off three break points to hold for 3-2.

With the former world number one leading 4-3, the 25-year-old Razzano had to have treatment to her lower back.

Williams then broke in the final game of the set, earning set point with a fine crosscourt backhand winner before Razzano netted a forehand.

Razzano began to have difficulty with her serve in the second set and double-faulted three times as Williams broke to lead 2-0.

Williams then surged to a 5-0 lead before Razzano offered some late resistance and the former world number one showed uncharacteristic signs of nerves.

After failing to convert two match points on Razzano's serve at 5-1 Williams double-faulted twice as she dropped the seventh game, but she finally closed out the match on her fourth match point when Razzano netted a forehand.

Razzano beat three seeds in Dubai and is projected to rise from 58th in the world into the top 40.

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