SAN DIEGO, California, 8 August 2006 — Second-seeded Maria Sharapova beat Kim Clijsters 7-5, 7-5 here Sunday, taking her first triumph in five tries over the Belgian top seed to win a $1.34 million WTA hardcourt event.
The defeat snapped a 24-match North American summer hardcourt unbeaten streak for Clijsters, the reigning US Open champion.
It was the fourth final of the year for fourth-ranked Sharapova, who won her only prior title of the year at Indian Wells in March.
“Coming into the match I knew I had to be physically and mentally ready or I was going down,” Sharapova said. “So it was up to me to follow through with those sayings.
“I’m really happy that I came back and won that first tournament and got a win against someone who I never beat in competition. It was just my day. I lost to her four times, so I thought this might be my lucky one.”
The Russian star, playing for the first time in three weeks, broke Clijsters in the final game to defeat Clijsters after one hour and 48 minutes and claim her 12th career title as well as a top prize of $196,900.
“To beat a player that’s been in the top, that’s been playing really well this year and that’s No. 2 in the world is a great achievement,” Sharapova said.
“But I’ve got to move on. This is my work to the US Open. I have another task ahead of me.” Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, did not lose a set at the US Open warm-up event but played some tension-packed tennis to do it. She downed Swiss Patty Schnyder 7-5, 6-4 in Saturday’s semifinals.
Clijsters has never won this event, losing the 2003 final to compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne.
“Another final, especially having such a close match, you always want to go out and finish it,” said Clijsters, who was stunned by China’s Peng Shaui in last year’s quarterfinals.
