Intro:

Maria Sharapova won the Italian Open for the third time on Sunday (17th May) when she came from a set down to beat Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the final.

Script:

Maria Sharapova won her third Italian Open title on Sunday, after beating Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6 7-5 6-1 at the Foro Italico.

Suarez Navarro, who was bidding for the second title of her career, made a strong start against the sluggish Sharapova and broke the Russian midway through the first set.

Sharapova continued to struggle to find her form, and gifted Suarez Navarro the first set after she shot her backhand return wide.

The Spanish world number 10 continued to cause problems in the second set, but Sharapova eventually eased into the game, breaking Suarez Navarro's serves.

She then reeled off the second set with eight successive points.

Suarez Navarro battled hard in the first two sets, but it seemed the sweltering heat was taking its toll as she gradually ran out of steam in the decider.

She broke in the opening game of the third set, but Sharapova then retaliated, breaking back to reassert her dominance.

She then reeled off the next five games in a row, and sealed her victory after 2 and a half hours with a forehand cross court winner.

This is Sharapova's 35th career title, and as a result, she will climb up to 2nd in the world rankings.