MADRID, Spain -- Justine Henin finished her record-breaking season undefeated after Wimbledon.
She won the Sony Ericsson Championships on Sunday, rallying past Maria Sharapova 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in the longest three-set final in tournament history.
The top-ranked Belgian won her 10th title in 2007 and earned $1 million at the season-ending event, becoming the first woman to pass $5 million for a year.
"What a way to finish the season," said Henin, who ran into the crowd to hug her coach and family after winning her 39th career title.
Following a semifinal loss to Marion Bartoli at Wimbledon, Henin closed the season with 25 straight wins, the longest streak since Venus Williams won 35 in a row in 2000. The record is 38 by Steffi Graf, whose string began after a loss in the 1989 French Open final.
The 25-year-old Henin is the first player since Martina Hingis in 1997 to record double-digit victories in a season.
"I just enjoy my tennis so much and I just wish I can keep playing like that for more years," she said.
She won on her fifth match point, breaking Sharapova after the Russian netted a drop shot to end the 3-hour, 24-minute contest. In 2005, Amelie Mauresmo defeated Mary Pierce 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in 3:06 in the previous longest final.
"I played with my heart," Henin said. "I had to find the resources, mentally and physically, but I think it's a match everyone will remember."
Henin saved five of Sharapova's six break chances in the final set -- and 14 of 18 overall -- to become the sixth player to defend the WTA's season-ending championship.
Henin became the first player to win the French Open, U.S. Open and season-ending championships since Graf in 1996. She beat fourth-ranked Ana Ivanovic in the semifinals and improved to 21-1 against top 10 players this year. Henin has earned nearly $5.4 million to surpass Kim Clijsters' mark for yearly winnings.
Sharapova came into the tournament after a nearly two-month layoff because of a shoulder injury.
"It's an honor to play against her," said Sharapova, who won the event in her 2004 debut. "I hope we can play a few more times. I hope I can get my revenge a few more times."
