(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-10-15 15:47

BANGKOK - In-form Italian Flavia Pennetta overwhelmed Taiwanese teenager Chan Yung-jan 6-1 6-3 to win her third tour title at a rain-drenched Bangkok Open on Sunday.

Flavia Pennetta of Italy holds the trophy after defeating Yung-Jan Chan of Taiwan during their women's final tennis match at the PTT Bangkok Open in Bangkok October 14, 2007. Pennetta won 6-1 6-3. [Agencies]

In a one-sided final interrupted by four hours of rain, the 49th-ranked Italian breezed past the 18-year-old in just over an hour of play to win her first title of the year.

"I wasn't expecting this, I have to be honest," said Pennetta, who beat Wimbledon champion Venus Williams to reach the final.

"It's a great victory for me. I didn't play good tennis but I did the right thing to bring this match home," she told reporters. "Everyone was expecting me to win."

With thick black clouds looming, the seventh seed stamped her authority on the match from the outset, breaking Chan in the first game before racing through the first set with a string of precise and powerful forehands down the line.

The rain delay appeared to have done Chan some good after she returned with renewed vigour, breaking Pennetta in the first game with heavy topspin lobs and stinging forehands into the corners of the court.

Pennetta served well and produced answers for everything else Chan sent her way, breaking her opponent three times on her way to the title.

The Italian said she had feared the suspension of play could give Chan the advantage.

"I thought after the delay she would fight back," she said. "In tennis, you never know -- anything can happen.

"I knew if I didn't play my best tennis, she would beat me. I knew she was a good player."

Pennetta's victory capped a successful four-week stint in Asia after her quarter-final finish in Kolkata and back-to-back semi-finals in Seoul and Tokyo. "I'll definitely be back next year," she added with a smile.

Chan, who was playing in her first tour final, said Pennetta was too strong for her.

"She played well, she didn't make many mistakes, she deserved it today," said Chan. "It's my first final, it's disappointing but I'll get my chance in the future."