Belgian Justine Henin demolished Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-3 to win her second US Open title and seventh Grand Slam crown.
The top seed was right on top of her game, scorching to victory in one hour, 22 minutes to become the first woman to win the title without losing a set since Serena Williams in 2002.
'This one is maybe the most important one for me,' Henin told reporters. 'The quality I've played at in the last few matches was amazing.
'I didn't lose a set in Toronto and then here. It's great what I did and I'm really proud of it.'
With 2004 champion Kuznetsova struggling, Henin broke in the opening game of the match and never looked back, breaking twice more to surge ahead.
Kuznetsova improved in the second set but Henin broke for 3-1, saved two break points in the next game and three more in the ninth on the way to becoming the first woman to beat both Williams sisters in a Grand Slam event and win the title.
Kuznetsova won the first two points of the match but netted a forehand to lose serve in the first game and squandered a game point as Henin broke again to lead 3-0.
The Russian had a break point in the fourth game but Henin saved it with a big forehand and though Kuznetsova got on the board in the fifth game, the Belgian broke again to clinch the opening set.
The first three games of the second set went with serve as Kuznetsova tried to take the game to Henin but the Belgian won a long fourth game to move ahead 3-1.
Henin saved two break points in the next game to extend her lead and held the advantage to 5-3, when two double faults handed the Russian two break points.
The Belgian got back to deuce, only to double fault and hand Kuznetsova a third chance to get back on serve.
But Henin saved it again and clinched victory two points later thanks to a forehand drop volley.
'I was a bit scared that I would be tired, not be aggressive enough. I only slept for four hours,' she said.
'I didn't serve my best today but I was so consistent with my game, so that made a big difference.
'I was a bit nervous in the last game but finally I could win it and it's great.'
Kuznetsova admitted she had been outplayed.
'Just when I go to play finals I wish I would play at my best, and today I didn't do so,' she said.
'I think I have got to learn a lot out of this final and improve it.'
