Dokic wins first career title

Jelena Dokic won the first title of her career on Sunday beating Amelie Mauresmo 7-6 6-1 in the Rome Masters Series final.

The 18-year-old Yugoslav, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 1999 and semifinals in 2000, said her victory in Rome ranked above those achievements.

"To win a big title and to beat a lot of big players in it, I don't think it's anywhere near anything I've done so far," she said. Her $178,000 winner's cheque exceeds the $164,442 she earned at Wimbledon last year.

Dokic's first title puts her into the top 20 for the first time when the WTA Rankings are released on Monday.

"This was the biggest hurdle for me. There's a big difference between the Top 25 and the Top 20," said Dokic. "Hopefully things will be a little bit easier for me now."

Dokic, who decided to play under the Yugoslav flag after leaving her adopted home of Australia in January, will be ranked number 17. Mauresmo will rise to number five despite her defeat.

The Yugoslav broke Mauresmo in the eleventh game of the first set, having twice held break points on the Frenchwoman's serve. Mauresmo broke back but was then outplayed in the tiebreak, which she lost 7-3.

Dokic quickly took control of the second set as her opponent began to tire and broke serve in the fourth game before cruising to an emphatic victory.

"I wanted this title," said Dokic. "And when I won the first set I wanted it even more and I started to play even better.

"I think going into the match she was a big favourite to win. As soon as I won the first set I think that's what won me the match. You could see a big difference in her attitude in the second set."

Mauresmo agreed, saying: "Losing that first set was tough and I just wasn't feeling like coming back. I think today she just played a good match. I wasn't really 100 percent and I was a little bit tired."

The loss was only Mauresmo's third this year and her first to a player outside the top five in the world. The Frenchwoman has already won four titles this year, including the German Open last week.