Monica Seles (right) won her second Italian Open title in 10 years in Rome yesterday when the American beat France's Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) in the final.

The 26-year-old, who had defeated her childhood idol Martina Navratilova in the 1990 final, took full advantage of an easy first set which lasted just 30 minutes on the centre court.

But Mauresmo, who had upset compatriot Mary Pierce and Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario on the way to the 2000 final, rallied superbly in the second set, breaking twice to force a tie-break.

But the first ever meeting between the two women went Seles' way when the fifth seed slammed down a service winner for match point and Mauresmo followed up by sending a volley just out of the court.

It was Seles' third tournament win this year after victories at City and Amelia Island, and took her career haul to 47 WTA titles.

"To come back and do this well it's just really amazing," Seles said.

Though Seles really had to work for her three-set win over Australia teenager Jelena Dokic in the semi-finals, she said: "I really feel Amelie was a much tougher match.

"I really had to work so much harder, I had to raise my level of game much more," she added.

Mauresmo, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last year, paid tribute to the winner, saying: "You played very well today. It was impossible to beat you . . . I didn't win today, but I hope I'll be back to win next year."

Brazilian fifth seed Gustavo Kuerten won the £1.85 million Hamburg Masters Series after a marathon match against Russian 12th seed Marat Safin.

The 23-year-old Kuerten, who won a see-saw encounter at the Rothenbaum stadium, pocketed a cheque for £250,000 after his 6-4 5-7 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7/3) win.

Kuerten, the 1997 French Open champion and now ranked second in the ATP Champions Race, had started as slight favourite even though Safin, whose showing here has propelled him into the top 10, had won all three of their previous meetings.