Russian teenager Dinara Safina upset second seed Amelie Mauresmo to claim the title at the Paris Indoor Open. The 18-year-old won 6-4 2-6 6-3 to post the biggest victory of her career in front of Mauresmo's home crowd.
Mauresmo admitted: "There's no doubt about it - she deserved to win today. I didn't play my best tennis."
Safina avenged her 2-6 6-1 6-0 defeat to the world number four in their only previous meeting in the second round of this year's Australian Open.
Safina's brother Marat Safin criticised her in Melbourne after watching her surrender a one-set lead against Mauresmo.
"Marat told me I needed to fight during the whole game. This is what I did today," said Safina.
"The difference between this game and Melbourne's is the heat. In Australia, Amelie made me run a lot and I was just worn out."
Victory in Paris gave Safina, sister of Australian Open champion Marat Safin, her third WTA career title following wins at Palermo in 2003 and Sopot in 2002.
At 2-1 down and serving in the decider, Mauresmo saved one break point with a booming serve but then hit a wild forehand long to hand the initiative to Safina - who soon cruised to 5-1 up.
Mauresmo rallied, breaking Safina to love and holding easily to claw back to 5-3.
But, serving for the match, Safina went 40-15 ahead and clinched the championship on her first match point.
Following a long rally, Mauresmo was unable to return Safina's overhead smash.
MMIX
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