Maria Sharapova says she couldn't have asked for a better way to get ready for the season's first Grand Slam - Australian Open - after a thrilling win over Ana Ivanovic
Maria Sharapova exults after winning the Brisbane International final on Saturday
Brisbane: Maria Sharapova won the 34th title of her career on Saturday when she outlasted Ana Ivanovic in the thrilling final match of the Brisbane International.
Maria Sharapova exults after winning the Brisbane International final on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Sharapova won 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-3, clinching victory in two hours and 38 minutes in front of a packed crowd at the steamy Pat Rafter Arena. It was the 13th year in a row that the Russian has won at least one WTA title.
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The match, played in typically hot and humid conditions in the Queensland capital, was the perfect Australian Open preparation for the two top seeds, who met in the Melbourne final in 2008.
"I came into this final expecting a tough match," Sharapova said. "The matches we had last year were always very intense and high quality. That's what you expect in a final atmosphere. "I love coming back here, starting here," she added.
"I played four good matches against very different types of opponents — couldn't have asked for better preparation." Sharapova started brilliantly and raced to a 4-1 lead before Ivanovic struck back and levelled the set.
She then took control of the tiebreak to strike first blood in the final. Sharapova broke early in the second set and kept the advantage to level the match at one set apiece.
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