Aleksandra Wozniak became the first Canadian to win a WTA Tour title in 20 years by beating a hobbled Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-3 in the Bank of the West Classic final.
Sunday's was the first career victory for the 20-year-old Wozniak, who got into the 600,000 dollar hardcourt event as a qualifier.
Wozniak, who is ranked 85th in the world, is the fifth Canadian ever to claim a WTA singles crown.
"It feels great," Wozniak said. "It's my first title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and I'm really excited and proud of what I have accomplished here advancing through the qualifying round."
Wozniak caught a couple of breaks en route to earning 95,500 dollars in first place prize money.
She reached the final with a semi-final win over top-seeded Serena Williams, who withdrew while trailing with a left knee injury.
France's Bartoli also called for the trainer in the second set and finished the match on one leg, limply badly as she finished the set.
Bartoli served for the opening set at 5-4, but lost 12 of the next 14 points as Wozniak won the last three games and the set.
After Wozniak jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the second set, Bartoli asked for medical attention during a changeover.
The Canadian then broke for a 3-1 lead over Bartoli, who was holding her left hip.
"It's hard to retire during the final of tournament," Bartoli said. "I just wanted to give the fans a complete match. Even if I knew I was unable to win it, it was just better for everyone to try and keep going to the end."
The 23-year-old Bartoli, a surprise finalist at Wimbledon last year, was appearing in her first final of the year.
She was looking for her first victory since 2006, when she won three singles crowns.
Wozniak had to win eight matches, including three qualifying rounds, in nine days to lift the title.
"Playing eight matches in one week is never easy," Wozniak said. "I focused so hard this week on winning one match at a time. I believe in myself, but I never thought I would win this tournament."
The last Canadian to capture a WTA singles crown was Jill Hetherington at Wellington in February 1988 - when Wozniak was less than a year old.
"I didn't feel the big emotions right away after the match, but then it hit me and I was so excited," Wozniak said. "I am extremely proud of myself and it feels really great to know that this accomplishment is important for so many people.
"It is incredible to think that I was able to contribute something that means a lot to the country."
