Davenport, seeded second, rallied for a 6-7, (4-7), 6-4, 6-2 victory over the top-seeded Hingis to claim her 31st career title. Her last tournament victory came in Philadelphia last November, when she defeated Hingis in the championship match.

"I'm very happy to have won my first tournament of 2001 in the second week of February. It's very early in the year and it obviously is a great start," Davenport said. "I'm a lot happier to go home now with a title than if I hadn't come here and gone straight home after the Australian Open. (The title) doesn't totally erase the disappointment of a Grand Slam, but it makes a big difference."

The 24-year-old American, who lost in the Australian Open semifinals last week, was making her sixth straight appearance at this tournament. In addition to her title run in 1998, she finished runner-up in 1995.

Hingis and Davenport have alternated wins and losses in their last six encounters but Davenport took a 13-10 advantage in the lifetime matchup and earned $175,000 with Sunday's triumph.

"I always have great matches with Martina," Davenport said. "We have played so many times and I think today's maltch was great quality tennis. I was down a set and a break and it was important for me to get that break back early, which I did. I think I was playing her the right way from the beginning, so I'm glad to win. It is always a great feeling to beat the best in the world and Martina is (ranked) No. 1."

A winner over Davenport in Sydney last month, Hingis was seeking her fourth title here in five years and 37th career crown. Her season record fell to 17-2.

"It was a great match, compared to the final here in 1998. I gave her a lot more trouble," Hingis said. "This surface suits Lindsay and it would have been different on an outdoor court. We are 1-1 for this year. It was decided on a few points and if I was to win I would have had to finish it in two sets. She just put on too much pressure in the third set. She stayed tough on the important points and that's what makes her the player she is."

The 20-year-old from Switzerland was coming off a loss to Jennifer Capriati in the Australian Open final after defeating sisters Venus and Serena Williams back-to-back to earn a spot in the championship match.