Mauresmo recovered from losing the opening set to win 2-6 6-3 6-4 and become the first French champion since Suzanne Lenglen won the last of her six titles in 1925. The 27year-old top seed also prevented Henin-Hardenne from becoming only the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam, and repeated her victory over the Belgian in January's Australian Open final. However, while that victory was soured somewhat as Henin-Hardeene was forced to retire, there was no doubting the legitmacy of Mauresmo's win yesterday. "It's a great moment for me, this trophy is so special in the world of tennis, " she said on Centre Court afterwards. "I am so proud and I will be back next year. It feels great. I had a great two weeks. I definitely wanted this win today and I don't want anyone to talk about my nerves any more."

The entertaining final saw both players willing to serve and volley despite the blustery conditions and Mauresmo added: "That's what I did for the whole tournament and it seems to be working pretty well even though the grass is getting slower and slower."

But a victory for Mauresmo had looked an unlikely scenario after HeninHardenne had raced through the opening set as she looked to add the Wimbledon title to her French Open crown without dropping a set in 14 matches. The 24-year-old Belgian broke in the opening game of the match on Centre Court and after saving a break point in the sixth game to maintain her advantage, then made sure of the set with a second break.

Mauresmo is renowned for struggling to overcome her nerves on the big occasion . . .something she later remarked upon in her victory speech . . . and the crowd must have feared the match would become a distinctly one-sided affair. But the 27year-old Frenchwoman made a storming start to the second set, breaking HeninHardenne to race into a 3-0 lead and having a real chance to make it 4-0.

But Henin-Hardenne dug deep to remain in touch at 31 and crucially saved another break point to avoid going 51 behind, and that looked like being a turning point when she broke in the seventh game to trail just 4-3. But in a see-saw contest, Mauresmo immediately broke back to earn the chance to serve out for the set, and the top seed saved three more break points before eventually firing down her fourth ace to take it 6-3 and level the match.

The momentum was now firmly with Mauresmo and the world number one raced into a 3-1 lead in the decider as Henin-Hardenne committed a string of unforced errors. Saving a break point in the fifth game at least kept Henin-Hardenne in touch but Mauresmo had clearly taken great confidence from her semi-final victory over former champion Maria Sharapova, when she overcame a trademark stumble to win in three sets.

A superb serve and backhand volley set up Championship point and Henin-Hardenne then netted a simple forehand to give Mauresmo the title. "She just played better than me, took her chances and opportunities but I gave my best until the end, " the 24-year-old French Open champion said at the end. "I'm pretty tired right now but it's been a couple of very good weeks for me. Even if I lose in the final I've had a very good time. I enjoy playing here and I will be back and get my chance another time."

On clinching victory, and bursting into tears of joy, Mauresmo made the nowtraditional climb through the crowd to celebrate with her supporters in the players' box. She revealed that she will attend the traditional champions' ball this evening but will have one eye on the World Cup final between France and Italy. "I don't know what time the ball is but I have to get the news somehow, " she joked.