Maria Sharapova back to number 2 ranking following China Open victory

Maria Sharapova

Beijing, Oct 5 (IANS)

Russian Maria Sharapova conjured up some of her three-setter magic in the final of the China Open tennis Sunday, rallying past Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic for the title.

Sharapova cruised through to the final 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

After she tucked away the first set, it looked as though that trend was going to continue, reports Xinhua.

But the third-seeded Kvitova started finding the mark on her huge serve and groundstrokes from the start of the second set, striking 15 winners to just nine unforced errors to take it in 43 minutes and push the championship match to a decider.

The fourth-seeded Sharapova struck back in the third, racing out to a 3-0 lead and, after missing her first match point opportunity at 5-2 with an inside out forehand into the net, serving the match out at love at 5-3, finishing it on a big serve that drew a Kvitova backhand into the net.

Sharapova now has four WTA titles this year - Stuttgart, Madrid, Roland Garros and Beijing - which ties her for second-most this year alongside Ana Ivanovic. Serena Williams leads the tour with six. Additionally, the Russian will rise from No. 4 to No. 2 on the WTA Rankings, trailing only Williams.