Rome, May 21: Monica Seles won her second Italian Open tennis title in 10 years on Sunday when the American crowd favourite beat France's Amelie Mauresmo 6-2 7-6 (7-4) in the final.The 26-year-old, who had defeated her childhood idol Martina Navratilova here in the 1990 final, took full advantage of an easy first set which lasted just 30 minutes on the Centre Court.But Mauresmo, who had upset compatriot Mary Pierce and Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario on the way to the 2000 final, rallied superbly in the second set - breaking twice towards the end to force a tie-break.But the first ever meeting between the two women went Seles' way when the fifth seed slammed down a service winner for match point and Mauresmo followed up by sending a volley just out of the court.It was Seles' third tournament win this year after Oklahoma City and Amelia Island, and took her career haul to 47 WTA titles. ``To come back and do this well it's just really amazing,'' Seles told the Italico crowd, adding: ``To have my mom here for the first time in nine years is very special.''Though Seles really had to work for her three set win over Australian teenager Jelena Dokic in the semi-finals, she said: ``I really feel Amelie was a much tougher match.''``I really had to work so much harder, I had to raise my level of game much more,'' she said.Mauresmo, who reached the semi-finals here last year, paid tribute to the winner, saying: ``You played well today. It was impossible to beat you. I didn't win today but I hope I'll be back to win next year.''
