14th seed Daniela Hantuchova claimed a second Pacific Life Open title after comfortably overcoming second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4 and match the best performance of her career.

With stars Serena Williams and Justine Henin opting not to play and top seed Maria Sharapova making an unlikely early exit, Kuznetsova appeared on course for her perhaps her biggest win since the 2004 U.S. Open.

But the Russian was not ready for Hantuchova, who won this Tier I hardcourt event in 2002 as an 18-year-old for her only career title and has endured five years of underachievement.

"There is something very special about this place for me," she said.

Scoring key breaks in each set, Hantuchova dispatched Kuznetsov for the second straight time and improved to a won three, lost five record against her opponent. She also defeated Kuznetsova in straight sets in the semi-finals at Doha.