Intro:

Maria Sharapova beat Li Na in a three-set Rome final to retain the Italian Open on Sunday.

Script:

The last time Li Na played Maria Sharapova, the Russian knocked the Chinese woman out of the Sony Ericsson Open quarter-finals in Miami,

But the pair met for a bigger prize in the final of the Italian Open on Sunday.

Na seemed hellbent on revenge and the French Open champion took the first set 6-4.

But Sharapova has some venom in her forehand too as she levelled the match at one set all all as the rain started to fall.

Sharapova is a known battler and the 25-year-old had to dig deep to save a matchpoint with another forehand winner.

The umbrellas were out in force as rain stopped play for two hours.

When the players returned to the court, Sharapova looked like the break had done her good and a Na unforced error gifted the N umber two seed a 46 64 76(5) win.

The victory means Sharapova lifted the Italian Open trophy once more - the first time she has successfully defending a WTA clay court title in her career.

A result that will fill her with confidence heading into the French Open.