Petrova Stops Mauresmo for WTA Doha Title

Amelie Mauresmo, on the cusp of re-taking the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2004, was stopped in straight sets Saturday in the final of the WTA stop in Doha, with the Russian stunning the Frenchwoman 6-3, 7-5.

Mauresmo entered the match with a 4-1 career advantage over Petrova.

A notorious choker in previous big matches, Petrova played confidently in breaking Mauresmo three times in the first set, then getting the critical break for a 6-5 lead in the second set.

"I am absolutely delighted with my effort," said Petrova after winning her first title of the year and the second for her career. "I played my best match here in Doha today against probably the best player of the tournament."

Mauresmo, who has played five weeks in a row now going into the Indian Wells-Miami swing, said she fatigued in the end.

"Nadia played a very solid match," Mauresmo told reporters. "She made it pretty difficult for me and I was running a bit of out gas after all these weeks. All the credit to her. I wasn't able to be as strong on my serve as I wanted to be. I have no regrets, I'm of course disappointed but happy at the same time. I just have to keep on working and do the same things I have been doing for the last months."

In the doubles final No. 3 seeds Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama won their first title of the year as a team with a 6-4, 6-4 win over China's 2004 Olympic doubles gold medalists Li Ting and Sun Tiantian.