Sharapova wins Open in straight sets

Her strokes as piercing as her shrieks by the end, the third-seeded Sharapova beat No. 2 Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-4, 6-4 Saturday night to win the U.S. Open final.

"This is an amazing honor," Sharapova said. "I'm so happy that it's here in New York, my favorite city in the world, in front of the best fans."

Sharapova burst onto the tennis — and endorsement — scene by winning Wimbledon in 2004 at 17. The Russian-born player had come close to adding more major championships since but went 0-5 in Slam semifinals — until this tournament.

When Henin-Hardenne, a finalist at all four majors this year, slapped one last forehand into the net, Sharapova dropped to her knees and covered her face, then rose and trotted to shake hands.

Henin-Hardenne, a five-time major champion, would have returned to No. 1 in the rankings with a victory. By facing only one break point, and overcoming an early lapse, Sharapova wound up dominating a player with more impressive accomplishments.

"She's been a real fighter tonight," said the Belgian, who won the 2003 Open. "The better player won tonight."

In the men's final today, No. 1 Roger Federer will be bidding for his ninth career Grand Slam title when he takes on No. 9 Andy Roddick, aiming for his second.

Federer is the first man since Rod Laver in 1961-62 to reach six consecutive Grand Slam finals.

The two-time defending champion flashed all of his many talents in a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over No. 7 Nikolay Davydenko in the first semifinal.

"I'm just going to go out and throw it all at him. I'm just going to go for it. Just play the way I have. We've been simplifying it," said Roddick, 18-1 since pairing with five-time Open champion Jimmy Connors this summer for a coach. "If the guy plays too well, then he plays too well. But I'm not going to lay down."

Roddick outlasted Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Today

● What: Federer vs. Roddick

● When: 1 p.m.

● TV: Channel 13