Mauresmo defends title

Mauresmo, the world's fourth-ranked player, won for the third time this season on the eve of the WTA Tour Championships, which start on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Mauresmo, the world's fourth-ranked player, won for the third time this season on the eve of the WTA Tour Championships, which start on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

"It's a great effort to win this three times in a row," Mauresmo said as the tournament ended a 21-year run in Villanova.

Mauresmo had lost in the opening round in both Moscow and Zurich prior to re-establishing her solid play at the tournament, where she has never lost a match.

Top-ranked players Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova withdrew from the tournament, paving the way for Mauresmo to win her 18th career WTA title.

It was not easy for her, however, as she blew a 4-1 third set lead and was two points away from losing the match before Dementieva double-faulted twice in the 10th game, allowing

Mauresmo to tie the final set at 5-5.

Mauresmo battled back and won the last two points to deny the Russian her first tournament win of the year.

Dementieva was her own worst enemy with 14 double faults.

"I'm trying to get better," Dementieva said.

Mauresmo joins Steffi Graf as the other three-times winner of the event, which moves to Madrid next year. Graf was champion in 1992, 1995 and 1998.

"It's a great effort to win this three times in a row," Mauresmo said as the tournament ended a 21-year run in Villanova.

Mauresmo had lost in the opening round in both Moscow and Zurich prior to re-establishing her solid play at the tournament, where she has never lost a match.

Top-ranked players Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova withdrew from the tournament, paving the way for Mauresmo to win her 18th career WTA title.

It was not easy for her, however, as she blew a 4-1 third set lead and was two points away from losing the match before Dementieva double-faulted twice in the 10th game, allowing Mauresmo to tie the final set at 5-5.

Mauresmo battled back and won the last two points to deny the Russian her first tournament win of the year.

Dementieva was her own worst enemy with 14 double faults.

"I'm trying to get better," Dementieva said.

Mauresmo joins Steffi Graf as the other three-times winner of the event, which moves to Madrid next year. Graf was champion in 1992, 1995 and 1998.