Maria Sharapova rallies at Italian Open for 11th title on clay

Maria Sharapova rallied to beat 10th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday to win her third Italian Open title in Rome. In the men’s draw, top-ranked Novak Djokovic bolstered his clay-court credentials before the French Open with a convincing 6-4, 6-3 win over Roger Federer.

Maria Sharapova rallied against Carla Suarez Navarro to win her 11th title on clay. Maurizio Brambatti / EPA

Maria Sharapova rallied to beat 10th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday to win her third Italian Open title in Rome.

The victory gives Sharapova confidence on clay as she prepares to defend her French Open title at Roland Garros, which starts next weekend.

Sharapova’s first two titles in Rome came back-to-back in 2011 and 2012.

“It’s always a special victory,” Sharapova said during the trophy presentation.

“It isn’t my first time but when I’m able to hold the trophy again it brings back memories of winning it the first time.”

With the temperature soaring above 30° Celsius at the Foro Italico, Sharapova struggled for long stretches to figure out Suarez Navarro’s variation of spins, slices and heavy topspin shots, as well as a one-handed backhand that was difficult to read.

But once second-seeded Sharapova started stepping into the court, attacking the Spaniard’s serve and finding the corners, she took control.

The match lasted more than two-and-a-half hours and Sharapova hit 39 winners to Suarez Navarro’s 12.

For her 35th career title, and 11th on clay, Sharapova celebrated mildly with a smile and a few fist pumps.

“I remember coming to Italy as a little girl and this was one of the tournaments I dreamed of playing,” Sharapova said.

“Now to win it for a third time is very special.”

Suarez Navarro was playing her third final of the year and for the third time she finished runner-up, following performances in Antwerp and ­Miami.

In the men’s draw, top-ranked Novak Djokovic bolstered his clay-court credentials before the French Open with a convincing 6-4, 6-3 win over Roger Federer yesterday to capture his fourth Italian Open title.

Extending his winning streak to 22 matches, Djokovic proved too consistent and too quick for Federer, who has never won the title at the Foro Italico in 15 appearances.

“It was a great week and today was my best match,” Djokovic told the crowd in Italian. “It’s always a pleasure to play against Roger and obviously I’m very pleased by today.

“Along with 2011, this is the best year of my career.

“ I don’t know how to continue at Roland Garros but obviously I have a lot of confidence.

“I hope I can continue like this.”

Djokovic produced a spectacular return to set up the decisive break at the end of the first set then got an early break in the second.

The match lasted just 75 ­minutes.

“Novak was too strong today,” Federer said.

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