Justine Henin of Belgium kisses the trophy after winning the final match against Maria Sharapova of Russia at the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Madrid, yesterday. - REUTERS

MADRID (Reuters):

World number one Justine Henin battled back from a set down to overcome Maria Sharapova 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 and retain her WTA Championships title in an epic struggle at the Madrid Arena yesterday.

The 25-year-old Belgian had to draw on every ounce of her renowned reserves of grit and determination to shake off Sharapova in a thrilling match that lasted three hours 24 minutes, a record for a three-set final in the end-of-season tournament.

The victory extended Henin's winning streak to 25 matches and made her the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1989 to go unbeaten in the second half of the season, post-Wimbledon.

She also became the first player to claim 10 tour titles in a year since Martina Hingis won 12 in 1997, and the first to break the $5-million barrier in prize money in a season.

"In the third set it was much more mental and physical," said Henin who needed five match points to clinch victory.

"It was a tough last game, we were both dead. What a way to finish the season. I feel it's a dream what's happened this season."