Rome: Russia's Maria Sharapova warmed up for the defence of her French Open title by securing her third Italian Open crown with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro yesterday.


Maria Sharapova holds her trophy after winning the women's Italian Open final against Carla Suarez Navarro in Rome yesterday. Pic/AFP 

Suarez, bidding for only the second title of her career but first from the Masters 1000 series, made a stunning start at the Foro Italico where the players faced sweltering conditions. The Spanish 10th seed broke the World No 3 midway through the opening set and had Sharapova on the ropes in a tight second before Sharapova found the breakthrough.