WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS: MAURESMO TRES BIEN VS. PIERCE IN ALL-FRENCH FINAL, SHE RALLIES FROM A SET DOWN TO WIN $1 MILLION.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

The first all-French final in the history of the WTA Championships turned into an epic three-hour long battle of back-and-forth points and incredible shots.

In the end, all Mary Pierce could do was say, ``Bon match.''

Amelie Mauresmo notched her biggest tournament victory Sunday, coming back from a set down to beat Pierce 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-4 in front of 9,412 at Staples Center.

Mauresmo becomes the first French winner of the WTA Championships. It is her most prestigious title. She was the runner-up here in 2003 and at the Australian Open in 1999.

``I had to wait so long for this,'' said Mauresmo, who dropped to her knees, looked up to the rafters and clasped her hands above her face after securing the victory. ``It felt great on the court, and it still feels great. Also, the way we both played makes it even better.''

The $1 million winner's check nearly doubled Mauresmo's season earnings of $1,418,708. She will finish the year ranked No. 3 in the world, up one spot from her position entering the tournament.

Mauresmo came up with her biggest points in the final two games. With the third set on serve at 4-4, Pierce had Mauresmo running from side to side on the baseline. Just when it looked like Pierce was going to put her away, Mauresmo turned what appeared to be a desperation reach in the right corner into a miraculous crosscourt forehand winner to go up 30-love.

``Hopefully, I won't be having nightmares about that one tonight,'' Pierce said.

On the next point, Pierce had a smash opportunity at the net but hit the backhand wide to fall behind love-40. Mauresmo went on to get the break.

However, with Mauresmo serving for the match, Pierce jumped up to an 40-love lead and appeared on her way to evening things back up immediately.

Then Pierce had five consecutive errors, spraying a crosscourt backhand wide on match point. A day after having just 10 unforced errors, Pierce had 49.

Mauresmo had reached the semifinals of the Tour Championships three consecutive years, the only player to do so.

``You have moments you really believe that it is going to happen,'' Mauresmo said of getting a big win like this. ``And you have some other moments when your mind is a little bit down. You think to yourself, 'I am never going to do it.' ''

Pierce had beaten Mauresmo in three sets two days earlier in round-robin play. Mauresmo grabbed the edge in the head-to-head series between the French women, improving to 5-4 against Pierce.

``She was very motivated out there today,'' Pierce said. ``I could see it. She wanted it. She definitely played better today than a couple days ago when I beat her.''

Pierce's comeback season, improving to No. 5 in the rankings from as low as No. 295 three years ago, ended with the sense that something was lacking. She made it to final at the U.S. Open, French Open and WTA Championships, only to finish as the runner-up in each.

However, Pierce took an it-was-meant-to-be approach to the outcome.

``I believe it will motivate me a little more in the offseason, make me a little hungrier,'' Pierce said. ``... The goal of mine is to be No. 1. Who knows if it will happen, but I think this week gives me more confidence.''

In the doubles's championship, second-seeded Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur defeated No. 1 Cara Black and Rennae Stubbs. 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Amelie Mauresmo celebrates after winning the WTA Championships with a three-set victory over Mary Pierce. Mauresmo took home $1 million for the win.

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

(2 -- color) Despite losing on Sunday, Mary Pierce finishes No. 5 in the WTA's year-end rankings.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images