Hingis dispatched fourth-seeded Venus Williams 6-4, 6-0 in an hour Sunday to win the TIG Classic, her first tournament title since the German Open in May.

The 18-year-old also regained the top ranking she lost to Lindsay Davenport after Wimbledon, where Hingis was upset in the first round. Hingis began her 101st career week in the top spot today.

``Some people said, `Is she ever going to come back?''' Hingis said. ``This is a good opportunity for me to show here I am again.''

Davenport slipped to No. 2 after losing 6-4, 7-5 to Williams in the semifinals at La Costa Resort and Spa. She and Hingis are the top two seeds in this week's Acura Classic that begins today in Manhattan Beach.

The victory confirmed for Hingis that the five weeks she took off after Wimbledon to practice and lift weights was worth it.

``I just tried to get myself together and really think about what I want,'' she said. ``I figured out pretty soon that I just want to play good tennis. I didn't want to be second and somewhere put aside. I'm used to being something special.''

Williams' goal of moving up to third in the world rankings by year's end was temporarily derailed. She remains No. 4 behind Steffi Graf.

``I have to learn my lessons and wait for the next opportunity,'' she said.

Williams committed 32 unforced errors and won just 11 points in the second set.

``I was just too tired,'' she said. ``She was able to make more shots. I missed quite a few which made it easy for her.''

Williams and her sister Serena later lost in the doubles final to Davenport and Corina Morariu.

Neither Hingis nor Williams could hold serve through the first four games, then Williams went up 4-3 when Hingis netted a backhand drop volley attempt.

But Williams collapsed, losing the next nine games and first set 6-4.

``She played a good match. She was making her shots. I made some bad decisions,'' said Williams, 3-7 lifetime against Hingis.

Hingis asserted herself in the opening game of the second set. She broke Williams at 15-40 with a forehand winner down the line. Then she allowed just one point on her serve in the next game for a 2-0 lead.

Hingis broke Williams twice more, then closed out the victory on Williams' consecutive forehand errors.

``That was a great test for me to see where I'm at right now,'' Hingis said. ``I feel like I'm pretty good.''