Intro:

Maria Sharapova recovers from dismal start to win the Madrid Masters 1-6 6-2 6-3 on Sunday (11th May).

Script:

Eighth seed Maria Sharapova faced fourth seed Simona Halep in the final of the Madrid Masters on Sunday.

Clay never has been Sharapova's favourite surface - despite the Russians appearance in the last two French Open finals - and she made a sluggish start to the match with Halep taking a double break immediately.

The Romanian taking the first set 6-1.

Back came Sharapova though as she was soon powering her way past Halep's defensive game.

With the second set wrapped up at 6-2. The deciding set was heating up. The tiredness of the players being heard by the grunting, yet it was the Russian who looked in charge at a break up. Sharapova here showing great energy to lead at 3-1.

And Sharapova would have her chance for the title at 5-3 up on the Halep serve. The Romanian, who just last year was ranked 64 in the world, pushed the multi grand slam winner to the limit, yet the Russian used all her experience to stay in the rally and clinch the title.

Sharapova finishing off with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

The win extended her winning run on clay to 11 matches after she took the title in Stuttgart at the end of last month.