PARIS -- Birthday girl Kim Clijsters eased some of her French Open pain on Sunday when, 24 hours after losing the women's singles final, she teamed up with Ai Sugiyama to capture the doubles.

The Belgian-Japanese pair beat defending champions Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez 6-7, 6-2, 9-7.

Victory over the top-seeded pairing made it a memorable 20th birthday for Clijsters, who lost 6-0, 6-4 to fellow Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne on Saturday. It also meant a first Grand Slam title for her.

"It's a great feeling," Clijsters said. "Of course it is very special to have it on my birthday.

"It is my first Grand Slam title and that is always, always great. Like I said, to have it on my birthday makes it even more special."

Clijsters, in Paris with boyfriend and men's world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, said she had no celebrations planned.

"I didn't plan anything," she smiled. "I have to go to the hotel first and pack everything. Then I'll see what I do."

Having had a night to sleep on the disappointment of her second singles final loss, Clijsters said the match will still remain one of the biggest of her career.

"It was great to be a part of that. That will definitely be one of my biggest memories... to be part of an all-Belgian final," said the world number two, who had also lost the 2001 singles final here.

"Whatever you can do to represent your country, it is always nice. Nice for me and nice for people who have been supporting me in Belgium."