It took some time to get going but Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams eventually delivered a final worthy of two former world No 1s with Ivanovic prevailing 6-2 5-7 6-4 in an energy-sapping two hours and 19 minutes.
It had been one of the most eagerly anticipated finals in the history of the ASB Classic as former French Open champion and current world No 16 Ivanovic took on seven-time grand slam singles winner Williams.
For the first hour, it was entirely comfortable for Ivanovic but she was then pushed hard by Williams who tried desperately to find her range. The American showed plenty of grit to send the match into a third set but Ivanovic always held the initiative in the best final seen at the ASB Classic for some time.
The tennis wasn't always of the highest quality, particularly from Williams, but there was plenty of drama.
Ivanovic had a match-point when serving at 5-4 in the second set, before Williams awoke and played her best tennis of the match. She broke Ivanovic twice to take the second set but was broken in the first game of the third set, when she double faulted twice and couldn't quite get back into the match.