Osaka, 16 October 2011 | AP

Australia’s US Open champion Samantha Stosur was defeated by France’s Marion Bartoli in the final of the Japan Women’s Open tennis tournament on Sunday.

The French second seed, who eliminated Angelique Kerber of Germany in the rain-delayed semifinals earlier in the day, went on to win the final with a 6-3 6-1 victory in 74 minutes, to win back the singles title she won in 2006.

It was Bartoli’s second title of the season, following her triumph at Eastbourne, and seventh career title, taking the winner’s check of USD$37,000 (AUD$36,400).

Stosur, who claimed her first WTA title in 2009 here, beat Zheng Jie of China 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 in the semifinals in the morning, a match that lasted two hours and 36 minutes.

The semifinals were originally scheduled for Saturday, but were delayed until Sunday due to rain.