It was the first Tier I final and victory for Jankovic, who was seeded second here and will improve to No. 7 in the rankings.

The Serbian gained the final by beating Venus Williams in a three-set match that took just over 2 1/2 hours Saturday.

Sunday's match on the green clay at Daniel Island was played under mostly sunny skies, but with a blustery wind that pushed would-be winners over the sideline and caused players to miss their serves.

The winds trailed a storm that moved through earlier Sunday, prompting a tornado watch and causing the media tent and others to be evacuated for a time.

A gust of 71 mph was recorded earlier on the nearby Arthur Ravenel Bridge. When play began, winds were from the southwest at 28 mph with gusts to 43, according to the National Weather Service.

"The wind was so strong and the balls were going all over the place," Jankovic said after the match as the winds rattled the media tent. "Is it safe in here?"

Safina had never played in such conditions.

"It was so windy that it was tough to play our game," Safina agreed. "It was going everywhere. It was difficult to serve, like you're tossing the ball, and the ball just goes ... flying in front or like, wherever."

Jankovic won a crystal cup and $196,900. It wasn't her biggest paycheck. She earned $258,462 for advancing to the semifinals of the U.S. Open last year, where she lost to Justine Henin.

"I'm so happy I won this title," Jankovic said. "I had an awesome week here, especially playing yesterday, beating Venus. Today in the final was a little bit different story because of the weather."

Safina, of Russia, got $100,000 and a crystal bowl.

Safina, the fourth seed who improved to No. 10 by making the final, got to the championship without dropping a set in the tournament.

Her semifinal opponent, Vera Zvonareva, retired Saturday with an injured wrist, and Friday in her quarterfinal, Tatiana Golovin, retired at the end of the first set with an injured ankle. It was the second Tier I final for Safina, who lost to Martina Hingis in the final at Rome last year.