"I'm delighted to get my third win here, it has been a fantastic tournament and it is a fantastic feeling to win again, " she said."I'd also like to thank all my family and friends for their help and support over the tournament.

"It's a really special feeling playing here, it's unique and I love playing here."

Henin-Hardenne is the eighth woman in tennis history to win the event three times or more, joining Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Arantxa SanchezVicario. Seeded fifth for this event, Henin-Hardenne started the final as the clear favourite. She had defeated Kuznetsova 10 times in their last 11 matches, and the 24year-old also advanced to the title match without dropping a set while losing just 31 games.

Henin-Hardenne broke as early as the first game with a powerful forehand from the baseline. She then broke again to take a 4-1 lead on a Kuznetsova double-fault and despite the Russian, the 2004 US Open champion, battling back to 4-3, Henin-Hardenne held her game together and clinched the first set.

In the second set, Kuznetsova broke with a sizzling passing shot down the line for a 2-0 lead, however, the favourite fought back to level at 2-2.

She then broke her rival again after a long game with a winning volley for a 4-3 lead.

When it was time to serve out for the match, HeninHardenne did not waver. She fired a powerful backhand from the baseline to earn two match points.

After missing out on her first chance, a wide forehand from Kuznetsova seconds later gave Henin-Hardenne the title. Former champion Martina Navratilova then presented her the trophy.