The world champion as well as the world number one - Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium finished her season in style.

Having already edged out Amelie Mauresmo in the race to top the year-end rankings, Henin-Hardenne also dethroned her main rival as the WTA Tour Championship title-holder with a 6-4 6-3 victory in one hour, 28 minutes on Sunday.

The diminutive Belgian lost to Mauresmo in the 2006 finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, as well as in the round-robin stage in Madrid. The 24-year-old was desperate to win this last encounter of the year.

When they faced each other in the Yellow Group, Henin-Hardenne had already booked her place in the semi-finals whereas Mauresmo had to win to go through.

In that previous encounter Henin-Hardenne had led Mauresmo by a set and a break before losing in three.

But this time with the title and a US$1 million first prize on the line, she remained focused throughout in another gripping contest of attacking play from both women that thrilled the 10,000 capacity crowd.

"You know how hard it was in the last few weeks and I didn't expect to win," Henin-Hardenne said.

"I played very aggressive and I really wanted this victory so I came out only to win it. I put a lot of pressure on every point."

Mauresmo, who saved two break points in both of her opening couple of service games before droppoing her serve at the third attempt, broke back for 4-4 in the first set only to fall behind in the next game as Henin-Hardenne broke her again with another great backhand.

The Belgian then held to love to take the set and quickly broke Mauresmo at he start of the second set.

Mauresmo's response was immediate as she broke straight back and after another exchange of breaks they stood at 3-3, the Frenchwoman threatening to pull off yet another comeback in a week of them in Madrid.

But, looking to her corner for even more encouragement, Henin-Hardenne courageously attacked with almost every shot after that.

The tactic paid off as she broke for 4-3, held comfortably for 5-3 and finally clinched her first end-of-season title on her second championship point when Mauresmo double-faulted for the fourth time in the match.

"She was better than me today," Mauresmo said. "I wasn't able to produce what I did yesterday. I didn't serve the way I needed to. I was a bit tired. I had to give up a lot of energy to qualify for the semi-finals and yesterday against Kim (Clijsters). She took her chances and I didn't, that's the way it is."

Having dropped only seven points on her own first serve and again displayed terrific coverage at the net, which is becoming a welcome development in women's tennis, Henin-Hardenne ultimately clinched her sixth title of the year.

The trophy was presented to her by Billie Jean King and having not played since September because of injury this one will probably mean as much to her if not more than the French Open title she retained in June.

"It's the first time I play well in championships, and it's not my best surface but I proved I could play here and I played well on it," Henin-Hardenne said. "It's been an unbelievable week."