Hingis gets second title

The Swiss top seed overawed her 18-year-old rival, who was playing her maiden WTA final, in the first set but then had to rally from 3-1 down as Poutchkova fought back with some superb shots.

Hingis, who also won this year's Italian Open, clinched victory in her fourth final of the year in under an hour, claiming her 42nd career title.

The five-time grand slam singles winner retired in 2002 due to foot and ankle injuries but made a full-time comeback in January.

Hingis gave a nervous Poutchkova no chance in the first set as the Russian made a string of unforced errors. However, the world number nine was forced into making mistakes herself as Poutchkova found her rhythm in the second, particularly with her powerful backhand.

Poutchkova hit shots deep to force Hingis wide on her forehand and broke serve in the third game before the Swiss regained control with two successive breaks to go up 5-3.

The 85th-ranked Russian clung on when she broke Hingis in the ninth game but then watched helplessly as the Swiss broke back in style and converted the second of three match points.

"This is only my second title of the year, so it is very special," Hingis told reporters.

Hingis praised Poutchkova for her second-set fightback.

"I had to re-focus then," she said. "She was playing to my forehand which took me by surprise a bit. At one point I even believed she had a chance.

"She is very talented and I wish her a great career."

Poutchkova was happy to have got the opportunity to play her idol.

"It was my first final and I was very nervous," she said.

"I was very excited to play Martina. She is a great player and I look up to her. I had taken a picture with her when I was 10."