Kim Clijsters completed her return from a serious injury by beating world number one Lindsay Davenport to win the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells.
The Belgian was playing only her second event since a four-month spell on the sidelines with a wrist injury.
And she fought back magnificently from 4-0 down against Davenport, who had thrashed Maria Sharapova 6-0 6-0 in the semi-finals.
Clijsters held her nerve in the final set to come through 6-4 4-6 6-2.
"This is incredible," said Clijsters. "There couldn't be any better way to start my year off.
"It is very satisfying to have this now and so soon."
The 21-year-old has fallen to 133rd in the world after missing most of 2004 through injury and there had been fears that her wrist would never fully recover.
And she looked in trouble when Davenport powered through the first four games, before hitting back with six of her own.
The American still looked favourite after levelling in the second set but she was never completely at ease, questioning calls in the final set.
Clijsters remained calm and closed out for her 22nd career singles title in two hours and five minutes in front of 7,000 fans.
"It was crazy," said Davenport.
"I started off really well and continued where I was yesterday to take a good lead, but as quickly as I was pulling those games out I then started to lose them.
"The tide turned from me being aggressor to her being the aggressor.
"I felt like I was behind the baseline and she was in front of the baseline and that is not what I wanted to have happen."