In the moment of victory, the noise that pierced New York’s night sky was a delirious squeal rather than the omnipresent grunt as Maria Sharapova finally proved that the world’s most photographed athlete could also win Grand Slam titles. More than two years after entrancing Wimbledon, she shrugged off accusations that she was more image and less competitive substance to win the US Open title.

Victory for Justine Henin-Hardenne would have taken her to the world’s No 1 position but Sharapova played with a determination that showed success on the court far surpasses wealth and fame as she triumphed 6-4 6-4. Henin-Hardenne could take no consolation that she had reached the final of all four major tournaments this year and was near to tears as Sharapova danced a jig of delight and than raced to celebrate with her father Yuri and hitting partner Michael Joyce after her 90-minute triumph. Andy Roddick, believed to be her boyfriend, was elsewhere after reaching today’s men’s final.

The victory was a demonstration of her ability to overcome her anxieties and when Henin-Hardenne’s final forehand thudded into the net her joy was complete. “I am just so happy to do this in New York, my favourite city in the world,” she said afterwards. “After four defeats in a row to Justine I knew that I had to change my game plan and I was able to do that.”

Even though Sharapova had experienced a confidence boosting first win over world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo in the semi-final, she seemed beset by nerves in the opening exchanges. Two double faults in her first serving game demonstrated her anxieties and the Belgian was happy to capitalise.

Moments before walking on court, Sharapova insisted the key was to stay patient and serve well. It was Henin-Hardenne who possessed the mental superiority and for good reason. The Russian won their first ever meeting, but her opponent had won the pair’s four confrontations since, including their two Grand Slam meetings, at last year’s French Open quarter- final and this season’s Australian Open semi-final.

Earlier this year, another Henin-Hardenne victory reduced Sharapova to tears, so ruthless was her play on the hard court of Dubai. Such distress is not becoming of somebody who bears the air of a champion.

There seems to be more variety to Henin-Hardenne’s game. Her Argentine coach Carlos Rodriguez has long insisted that she should believe in her ability to serve and volley each time she attacked the net. But she altered her service action this year and despite her formidable record throughout 2006, there are times when the delivery seems less than honed.

With Yuri Sharapova and Joyce constantly cajoling, as well as making regular pre-determined tactical signals from the players’ box and even telling their player what to eat and drink, the balance shifted in the match. Superior height and weight of shot was proving crucial and a slack game from Henin-Hardenne saw her drop serve and risk losing the first set.

Limited coaching was allowed as an experiment in some of the build-up tournaments on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, but it is supposedly illegal in Grand Slams although umpire Lynn Welsh seemed oblivious or unconcerned. Sensing her opportunity, Sharapova did not need any prompting to crank up the power.

Doubtless the pre-match tactical briefing from Sharapova’s two counsellors was not to get in a running battle as the more diminutive player was far the more nimble across the ground and possessed a greater variety of shot. But when it comes to sheer force, Henin-Hardenne’s physique dictates she struggles to generate as much velocity.

Sharapova registered set point with a ruthless forehand, and a sliced serve down the middle of the court gave her what promised to be a crucial lead. Going behind was nothing new to Henin-Hardenne in this tournament; she had faced defeat against Jelena Jankovic before her big match temperament allowed her to steamroll the unlikely semi-finalist from Serbia 6-0 in the final set and it was a similar story a couple of rounds earlier with the Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama.

The previous 10 US Open women’s finals had all been decided in straight sets and the number of unforced errors that had crept into Henin-Hardenne’s game seemed to suggest the trend would continue. In addition, Sharapova had only lost one match this year after taking the first set but that was against last night’s opponent in the Australian Open.

Briefly the Belgian threatened a comeback midway through the second set but Sharapova ruthlessly fended off any danger with a couple of aces. Apparently spurred on by the defence of her serve, she went on the offensive against her opponent and registered the first break point of the set. Henin-Hardenne managed to stand up to the first challenge but when the teenager nudged ahead again, a forehand flew into the net for what appeared to be the crucial break of serve.

Normally it is Henin-Hardenne who asserts her superiority at the later stages of the match but her serve was becoming a handicap. In contrast Sharapova was on a roll, winning eight of nine points and putting herself within one game of the title with yet another ace. It was glorious stuff as winner after winner flew off Sharapova’s racket.