Top seed Kim Clijsters outclassed local favourite Mary Pierce 6-2, 6-1 to win her first tournament of the season at the Paris Open on Sunday.

The Belgian world number two outpaced and overpowered the former Australian and French Open champion in just 58 minutes.

"Mary has played great tennis all week and I knew I had to be at my very best to beat her," said Clijsters.

The win lifted the Belgian closer to the world number one spot she occupied briefly last season, with her top-ranked compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne having taken this week off.

"Of course, it's one of my goals this season. I have fond memories of being number one for a while last year. It was fun," added Clijsters, who plays at home in Antwerp this week.

Pierce, close to her best after being plagued by injury over the last few seasons, won the Paris title in 1998 but had no answer to the Belgian's power game on Sunday.

"She was just too strong today and I was a little tired. I've had a good week but I've still got a lot of work to do," Pierce said.

"My serve was not good enough today and, against a player like Kim, it's merciless."

Clijsters took complete control of the match by winning seven games in succession. She bagged the first set in 28 minutes before racing into a 3-0 lead in the second.

The Belgian, beaten by Henin-Hardenne in the Australian Open final last month, never allowed her French opponent to settle in the match.

While Pierce continues her search to end a title drought dating back to her French Open success in 2000, the win handed Clijsters her 20th singles crown.

"See you at Roland Garros (for the French Open)," Pierce told the Parisian crowd.