NEW YORK, March 1 - American Nastia Liukin produced a strong performance on the uneven bars to beat world champion Shawn Johnson to win the women's event in the American Cup at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

　　Paul Hamm of the U.S., the 2004 Olympic all-around champion, took another step in a comeback aimed at defending his title in Beijing in August by claiming a comfortable victory in the men's competition.

　　Liukin, 18, scored 16.600 points on the bars, nearly one point better than fellow countrywoman Johnson, to triumph with a total of 63.425 from the four events.

　　Her victory provided further evidence the nine-times world championship medallist has recovered from an ankle injury that hampered her last year when she was third behind Johnson at the U.S. nationals.

　　For 16-year-old Johnson, American Cup champion last year, it marked her first defeat since becoming a senior in 2007.

　　Johnson totalled 63.100 points while Samantha Peszek of the U.S. was third on 62.075.

　　Liukin showed she could duel for Olympic all-around gold with Johnson later this year.

　　"It's amazing to win," said Liukin, whose uneven bars routine was by far the most difficult of the eight competitors. "I didn't have the best competition of my life but I'm happy with the outcome," she told reporters. "There's more to improve upon."

　　PAST WINNERS

　　Past American Cup winners who have gone on to claim the Olympic all-around title later the same year include Nadia Comaneci in 1976, Mary Lou Retton in 1984 and Carly Patterson in 2004.

　　Johnson fell trying to land a difficult Yurchenko vault with two and a half somersaults for the first time in competition.

　　"I'm not disappointed," she said. "I did the best I could and I had fun. I'll go back to work on the vault and I'm confident I'll get it right next time."

　　Hamm won by more than three points with a total of 94.400 from the six apparatus, finishing first in the vault, parallel bars and high bar.

　　"I'm happy with how I did today," said the 25-year-old. "I felt strong physically and ready for competition."

　　Fellow American Alexander Artemev was second on 91.150 followed by Hisashi Mizutori of Japan with 90.950.