LOS ANGELES: Italy's Flavia Pennetta defeated Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the 700,000 dollar WTA Los Angeles Women's Tennis Championship on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Italian, who was runner-up in 2008 at this event, called Sunday's victory the biggest of her career. She earned 107,000 dollars in first-place prize money and posted her eighth career singles title.

"This is my first big title," said Pennetta, who was seeded 10th at the hardcourt event at the Home Depot Center facility in south central Los Angeles.

Pennetta had four aces to three for Stosur and made good on 76 percent of her first serve points in the 81-minute match.

"I am really happy because it was tough for me to beat her," Pennetta said. "I was afraid of her serve.

"This tournament is something different for me. It is the first time for me to win a tournament like this."

It was just her second title on hardcourts with six of her eight coming on clay.

Sunday was the first career meeting between the two WTA veterans. The 25-year-old Stosur fell short of winning her first WTA title but was happy with her progress.

"It was a great week and I was really pleased to make it to the final," Stosur of the Gold Coast said. "I really enjoy playing here."

Stosur has been on a brilliant run of success over the past few months, improving her world ranking to 18.

The 13th seeded Stosur is known more for her success in doubles but was knocked out of that draw on Thursday.