Sep 10, 2006, 2:46 GMT
New York - Maria Sharapova collapsed in joy on the court after winning the US Open 6-4, 6-4 Saturday over Justine Henin- Hardenne.
Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates her win over Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne in the women's final match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 9, 2006. Sharapova used a big serve and powerful forehand to win 6-4 6-4. REUTERS/Shaun Best
The Russian third seed lifted the grand Slam honour more than two years after making her big-match breakthrough with the 2004 Wimbledon trophy.
The defeat denied second-seeded Belgian Henin-Hardenne the chance to regain the world number 1 ranking from Amelie Mauresmo.
The match stretched a trend of two-set women's finals, with the last three-setter in 1995 when Steffi Graf defeated Monica Seles.
Sharapova won her third title of 2006 as she improved to 58-14 on the season.
Henin-Hardenne, a finalist at all four majors in 2006, won a third French Open title this season at Roland Garros, but lost finals in Australia and at Wimbledon.
'This is an amazing honour,' said Sharapova, who ran into the stands to hug her father and coach Yuri before later speaking on a gold mobile phone in the heat of victory while awaiting the trophy presentation.
'I had to play patient and smart against Justine,' said the Florida-based Russian, who had stalled five times at the Grand Slam semi-final stage since her Wimbledon success.
'I had lost four times to Justine, so I threw out everything I'd done and did a 360 (turn of strategy). I did the total opposite. Justine had some amazing results this year, getting to the final of all four Slams.'
The win was worth 1.7 million dollars to Sharapova - 1.2 million for the tournament itself and 500,000 for winning the run-up Open series.
Henin-Hardenne took defeat in the final of a major with grace. 'The best player won,' said the Belgian. 'Maria's a real fighter.'
Sharapova recovered a service break early in the first set and broke again to claim the opener. She needed one final break to insure title success.
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