Bartoli limps out of Bali final with Rezai

By Barry Wood

BALI (Reuters) - Aravane Rezai won the Tournament of Champions in Bali on Sunday when top seed Marion Bartoli retired with a quad injury after losing the first set 7-5.

The win gave Rezai the second title of her career following success at Strasbourg in May and lifted her into the world's top 30 for the first time.

"It's a big surprise to finish like that -- I'm very sorry for her," said Rezai, who earned $200,000 and broke the million dollar barrier in career earnings over the week.

"She looks like she hurt a lot and I hope it is not a big injury."

Bartoli had broken her fellow Frenchwoman to lead 3-2 but failed to serve out the set at 5-4 and was unable to convert a break point on Rezai's serve at 5-5.

Tenth seed Rezai held for 6-5 and then struck a backhand winner to end a long rally to earn two set points.

Bartoli then walked to the chair wincing in pain and after having her left thigh taped up she immediately double-faulted to lose the set before throwing in the towel.

"I proved to myself I can be at a much better ranking and much better player on the tour," said Rezai after her first win in three meetings with Bartoli.