Safina upsets Mauresmo to take Paris title

Russia's Dinara Safina upset hot favourite Amelie Mauresmo to win the Paris Open with a 6-4 2-6 6-3 victory yesterday.

Safina, who was beaten by the Frenchwoman in the Australian Open second round last month, took advantage of Mauresmo's weak serve to clinch her third WTA title in two hours and 19 minutes.

Second-seeded Mauresmo, a winner in Paris in 2001, has now lost three finals in the Pierre de Coubertin hall after two previous defeats by Serena Williams in 1999 and 2003.

"She took her chance. She was very solid. I had many chances in the first set, which I didn't convert," said Mauresmo.

"Obviously, I didn't play my best tennis but she deserves her win."