Mauresmo claims Dubai title

Mauresmo won the first all-French title since 1999

Amelie Mauresmo won the Dubai Open with a 6-4 7-6 win over Sandrine Testud on Saturday.

It was Mauresmo's first title since she won the German Open in Berlin last May.

Mauresmo, the third seed, held the edge against fourth-seeded Testud for most of the contest, taking the opening set on her tenth break point.

I had a tough period last year, but I've worked hard this winter and the beginning of this season was good

Amelie Mauresmo

Neither player earned a break point in the second set until Testud broke to lead 5-4.

Mauresmo held off the threat and Testud again failed to serve out for the set after breaking once more to lead 6-5.

She also led 3-2 against serve in the tie-break, but lost the next five points on the trot to concede the match.

Mauresmo said: "It's good to feel a victory again. Obviously I'm going the right way.

Testud had her chances in the tie-break

"I had a tough period last year, but I've worked hard this winter and the beginning of this season was good. I felt it was coming."

"Going into a third set would have been difficult."

Testud said: "She put a lot of pressure on me. I had a few opportunities but made too many mistakes."

The match took place ten years to the day since the first all-French final in the Open era, when Mary Pierce defeated Catherine Tanvier in Cesena, Italy.