Aleksandra Wozniak claimed her first career title by defeating Marion Bartoli 7-5 6-2 on Sunday in the final of the Bank of the West Classic.

Forced to win three qualifying matches just to make it into the main draw at this hardcourt event, Wozniak, who is ranked 85th in the world, became the first Canadian to win a WTA Tour singles title since 1988.

The 20-year-old also became just the fifth Canadian ever to claim a WTA singles crown.

Coming off a semi-final victory over top seed Serena Williams, who withdrew with a left knee injury while losing in the second set, Wozniak carried the momentum into her second career final.

Following a series of four consecutive break points in the opening set, Wozniak won 12 of the last 14 points, breaking the sixth-seeded Frenchwoman in the final three games.

After Wozniak jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the second set, Bartoli asked for a trainer during a changeover.

The Canadian immediately broke for a 3-1 lead over Bartoli, who was limping badly while appearing to grab her left hip.

Similar to her victory over Williams, Wozniak did not ease up, although Bartoli fought off the inevitable by holding to stay in the match at 5-2 before the Canadian finished her off in the eighth game.

The 23-year-old Bartoli, a surprise finalist at Wimbledon last year, was appearing in her first final of the year. She was looking for his first victory since 2006, when she won three singles titles.

Wozniak was thrilled after her triumph.

"It's great," she said. "I focused so hard this week on winning one match at a time. I believe in myself but I never thought I would win this tournament.

"I'm really excited and proud of what I have accomplished here, advancing through the qualifying rounds and winning the title.

"Playing eight matches in one week is never easy. I was really excited and wanted to go out there, do my best and not think about how tired I was."

Bartoli, the sixth seed, was upset after injury affected her bid to claim a fourth career title.

"It's really disappointing for me," she said.

"I was able to play some really great tennis to be able to be in the final. I thought I really had a shot to win a Tier II event. But each day is different.

"It's hard to retire during the final of tournament. I just wanted to give the fans a complete match and even if I knew I was unable to win it, it was just better for everyone to try and keep going to the end."