Intro:

Top seed Maria Sharapova claimed her 34th career title and closed the gap on the world number one ranking with a 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 win over Ana Ivanovic in the final of the Brisbane International on Saturday.

Script:

In front of a rousing Australian crowd, top seed Maria Sharapova faced off second seed Ana Ivanovic in the final of the Brisbane International.

The first set lasted more than an hour.

Ivanovic prevailed in the end - taking it in a tiebreak after Sharapova's service game fell apart.

But the Russian bounced back in the second, securing an early break and never letting go.

In a match that could've gone either way, Sharapova proved too strong.

She closed out the third 6-3 to claim her 34th WTA title and second on Australian soil.

SOUNDBITE: Maria Sharapova

"Well it's a nice reward, especially after not playing for a couple of months and after not playing matches you always look forward to that first tournament and seeing how your game is and how it's evolved during the off-season."

It's the perfect start to the world number two's Australian Open preparations.

The result also means she's now creeping closer to the number one ranking held by Serena Williams.