Safina, ranked 17th in the world, won 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 and took into pocket the top prize of nearly US$200,000.

Facing Russian derby yesterday, Safina, who had ousted world number on Justine Henin and US star Serena Williams on her way to the final, was too anxious to win in the first set, thus committing too many unforced errors.

The 13th seed was upset with 3-6 by number seven seed Dementieva, who beat defending champion Ana Ivanovic a day earlier.

In the second set, Safina became steady. Her powerful service and diversified hitting-backs earned her an equalizer 6-2.

In the decisive third set, Safina continued her dominance and swept Dementieva with another 6-2.

This is the first time for the 22-year old to win German Open.

With nearly US$200,000 prize in pocket, Safina was excited and the champion title is a special gift for "Mother's Day", which falls yesterday.

"I'll tell my mother, let her buy everything she wants," Safina said after the match.

"Hopefully the shops are open today," she joked.

Safina comes from a family of tennis. Her brother Marat Safina is a well-known tennis player and he has once ranked world number one.

With regret, Dementieva, world number nine, told the press conference that she would have had "chances to win" in the final.

"I think I had opportunities to win, especially in the second set," Dementieva said. "I'm disappointed, I did not move a lot."

The 27-year-old praised Safina in her progress. "She moved muchbetter," she added.

Earlier on the day, world number one Cara Black from Zimbabwe and Liezel Huber of the United States beat Spanish pair Nuria Llagostera Vives /Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez to seal the women's doubles title.