Petrova upsets Mauresmo to sin Qatar Open
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-05 09:59

Nadia Petrova beat Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo 6-3, 7-5 Saturday to win the Qatar Open for the second WTA title of her career.

Nadia Petrova of Russia celebrates after beating Ai Sugiyama of Japan during their semifinal match of WTA Qatar total Open at the Khalifa tennis complex in Doha Qatar, Friday, March 3, 2006. Petrova defeated Sugiyama by 6-1, 7-6 to enter the final match. [AP]

In defeating the world's No. 2 player, Petrova becomes the third Russian to win the Qatar title in six years. Anastasia Myskina won twice, along with Maria Sharapova.

Playing mostly from the baseline, Petrova broke Mauresmo three times in the first set. Petrova, seeded second and ranked eighth, then broke in the 11th game of the second set and served out to win. Petrova improved to 2-4 against her French opponent.

"I am absolutely delighted with my effort," Petrova said. "I played my best match here in Doha today against probably the best player of the tournament."

The top-seeded Mauresmo, who has two other titles this year in addition to the Australian Open, trails only Kim Clijsters in the rankings.

"It's been a great week for me," Mauresmo said. "I think Nadia played a great match. Congratulations to her. I loved playing here in front of a lot of French fans."

Also Saturday, Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Ai Sugiyama of Japan won the doubles final, defeating Ti Ling and Tiantian Sun of China 6-4, 6-4.