Top seed Na Li of China won the WTA Birmingham title at Edgbaston and returned to the world's top 10 after beating second-seed Russian Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-1 yesterday. It was a repeat of last year's semi-final, where too Li had beaten Sharapova before losing to Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova in the final. In a close first set Li found herself 1-3 down but rallied before taking the second set in just 24 minutes for what was the 24-year-old's third career title. She has also won in Guangzhou, in her native China, in 2004 and at Australia's Gold Coast two years ago. "Last year I beat Maria and then was so excited I forgot I had another match," Li said, adding: "I'm excited again. If I had another match this time, I think I would probably lose that too."

Top seed Na Li of China won the WTA Birmingham title at Edgbaston and returned to the world's top 10 after   beating second-seed Russian Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-1 yesterday.

It's exciting to beat Sharapova: Na Li

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It's exciting to beat Sharapova: Na Li

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