By Matthew Cronin

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Italy's Flavia Pennetta outran and outsmarted Australian Samantha Stosur to win the LA Championships with a 6-4 6-3 victory in Sunday's final.

Pennetta stayed strong throughout the contest, while Stosur's game fell apart and she was unable to dictate with the big serve and forehand that had carried her to wins over Ana Ivanovic, Zheng Jie and Sorana Cirstea.

"I was afraid of her serve, but I returned unbelievable and I think that was the most important thing today," said Pennetta, who will rise to number 12 in the rankings when they are released on Monday.

"I've never won a tournament this size and I'm really happy."

The title was the 27-year-old Pennetta's eighth overall, while Stosur, seeded 13th, had been aiming for her first WTA title.

The Australian finished with 32 unforced errors to only 16 for Pennetta.

"Sure, I'm disappointed," said the 25-year-old Stosur, who has yet to clinch a title in five finals.

"I would have loved to win my first title today, but it wasn't meant to be. I played a very good player today and she played a little better than me."

The 10th seed knocked off second seed Vera Zvonareva, three-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova en route to the crown.

Pennetta broke Stosur to win the contest when she exhausted the Australian in a long rally and finally took it with a forehand crosscourt winner.

"I think finals are different when you never get there," Pennetta said. "I've played a few finals before. It's not the same because this one is a very big tournament, but I was ready today."

(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)