(Photo source: AFP)

The Swiss, who returned in December, had last won a tournament in Tokyo in February 2002.

Hingis of Switzerland plays shot to Russia's Safina during Italian Open final tennis match in Rome May 21, 2006.[Reuters]

"I never thought I'd be here again," Hingis said after claiming her second title in the Italian capital.

"But they say never give up hope and keep fighting, and here I am. It's just great to be back on top of the game."

Safina had beaten a series of higher-ranked players en route to the final, including world number two Kim Clijsters, but her form deserted her as she sprayed shots long and wide.

Hingis's victory is expected to move her back into the world's top 15 and establish her as a contender for the French Open, which starts next Sunday.

Asked whether she felt ready to win at Roland Garros -- the only grand slam trophy missing from her collection -- the Swiss replied: "Well, I had my chances in the past.

"This year there are many good players who can do well in the tournament.

"I've always said I'm a good horse but still an underdog. Though definitely this win in Rome will give my confidence a big boost."

CAME ALIVE

Safina made numerous unforced errors to lose her first three service games of the match and go 5-0 down.

She rallied to pull a break back but ended the set as she had begun it, drifting a backhand over the baseline after just 27 minutes.

There was no sign of the 20-year-old Russian picking up her game at the start of the second set either, as more backhand errors caused her to drop serve in the first and fifth games.

She finally came alive when Hingis earned two match points against her serve in the ninth game.

An ace and an unreturnable first serve kept Safina in the contest and when Hingis snatched at a forehand long in the following game to drop serve, the Russian levelled at 5-5.

Safina's comeback was short-lived.

Hingis lashed a forehand winner down the line to break again in the 12th game and then demonstrated her resilience, staving off four breakpoints to hold serve and win.

"Today I had a lot less energy than usual," said Safina, who survived a 2-1/2 hour match against Kuznetsova on Saturday to reach the final.

"Of course I'm disappointed but still I had a great week. I never even dreamed that I could be in the final here by beating three top 10 players".