Henin-Hardenne's 7-6, 6-3 victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova also helped convince the Belgian she had been right to withdraw from her home tournament in Antwerp last week with bronchitis, despite upsetting some of her compatriots, and to play only a few days later in the Gulf sunshine.

Her best became more and more evident, and although this was not a flawless performance - she lost a break of serve at 5-4 in the first set and at 3-1 in the second - it reaffirmed that she is number one and still improving.

"It was a little negative point that when I was taking control of the match I didn't play well, but at the start of the week I wasn't feeling well and I was not sure I could play properly," she said.

"But I was able to come back when I wanted to. And physically I am feeling good. I have recovered from the bronchitis.

"I am able to play my best tennis and still win. This was something I didn't understand in the past. Now I understand that I can't put my best in all the time and I accept that and I deal with it."

Kuznetsova was also below the standard which enabled her to beat three seeds, including former world number one Venus Williams, on the way to the final.

Despite that it was mostly an entertaining match, with the 18-year-old Russian producing moments when it seemed she might be able to impose her heavyweight hitting upon the champion's flair.

One occurred when she won an exchange of heavy cross court drives to break back to 5-all, but in the tie-break Henin-Hardenne lifted her standard and flowed all over the court with a mixture of angles, slices and topspins, peppered with occasional volleys.

The other happened when Henin-Hardenne played an indifferent service game to lose her second set break, and the crowd got behind the young Russian.

During this phase Kuznetsova hit one drive into the net which punctured the ball, and she was allowed to replay the point. But she foundered because her error ratio was too high and because she was unable to establish momentum with her serving to get forward very often.

"I was a little bit tired," the teenager said. "I tried to do what I can do but she didn't let me and I was not at my best.

"My unforced errors put pressure on me and I should have done better. If I am not on the top of my game I must be more patient. But this was still the best week of my career."

Kuznetsova is now certain of a top 20 place for the first time, and looks to have more than enough potential to make the top ten.

Henin has played three tournaments this year and won them all, whilst showing she is adding new facets to her game, such as a more confident and frequent net attack.

Her progress also suggested that if the Williams sisters do aim to get back to the top again after their long absences, they may find it hard to dislodge her.