MADRID, Spain (AP) -Justin Henin finished her record-breaking season undefeated after Wimbledon.
She won the Sony Ericsson Championships on Sunday, rallying past Maria Sharapova 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in the longest three-set final in tournament history.
The top-ranked Belgian won her 10th title in 2007 and earned $1 million at the season-ending event, becoming the first woman to pass $5 million for a year.
``What a way to finish the season,'' said Henin, who ran into the crowd to hug her coach and family after winning her 39th career title.
Following a semifinal loss to Marion Bartoli at Wimbledon, Henin closed the season with 25 straight wins, the longest streak since Venus Williams won 35 in a row in 2000. The record is 38 by Steffi Graf, whose string began after a loss in the 1989 French Open final.
The 25-year-old Henin is the first player since Martina Hingis in 1997 to record double-digit victories in a season.
``I just enjoy my tennis so much and I just wish I can keep playing like that for more years,'' she said.
She won on her fifth match point, breaking Sharapova after the Russian netted a drop shot to end the 3-hour, 24-minute contest. In 2005, Amelie Mauresmo defeated Mary Pierce 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in 3:06 in the previous longest final.
``I played with my heart,'' Henin said. ``I had to find the resources, mentally and physically, but I think it's a match everyone will remember.''
Henin saved five of Sharapova's six break chances in the final set - and 14 of 18 overall - to become the sixth player to defend the WTA's season-ending championship.
Henin became the first player to win the French Open, U.S. Open and season-ending championships since Graf in 1996. She beat fourth-ranked Ana Ivanovic in the semifinals and improved to 21-1 against top 10 players this year. Henin has earned nearly $5.4 million to surpass Kim Clijsters' mark for yearly winnings.
Sharapova came into the tournament after a nearly two-month layoff because of a shoulder injury.
``It's an honor to play against her,'' said Sharapova, who the event in her 2004 debut. ``I hope we can play a few more times. I hope I can get my revenge a few more times.''
Sharapova won the first set after pouncing on Henin's awkward serve to break in the 12th game on her eighth set point. Henin hit four of her eight double-faults in the game.
``I was feeling frustrated at that time,'' Henin said.
Henin closed the second set after converting double-break chance in the 10th game when Sharapova hit her backhand wide. Sharapova, playing from the baseline most of the match, rallied in the final set after Henin broke in the third.
The sixth-ranked Sharapova caught Henin on the run with a two-handed crosscourt pass before Henin pushed it long for a break of serve for 3-3.
Sharapova didn't win another game.
``It's been a pretty rough year for me with all of these injuries, one after another,'' Sharapova said.
The season-ending tournament moves to Doha, Qatar, through 2010.