Maria Sharapova won her first title of 2012 with a 6-1 6-4 victory over world number one Victoria Azarenka in the Porsche Grand Prix.
Azarenka was not fully fit, her wrist requiring heavy strapping, but the win gave the Russian compensation for her one-sided defeat in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Sharapova's
notoriously hit-and-miss serve held up under pressure as it had throughout the week in Stuttgart, and she served out her last two games to love.
notoriously hit-and-miss serve held up under pressure as it had throughout the week in Stuttgart, and she served out her last two games to love.
The world number two rushed through the first set in 29 minutes before Azarenka put up more of a fight in the next despite being put under huge pressure on serve.
It finally told when Sharapova broke decisively to lead 4-3, and although the Belarussian held her next service game the former Wimbledon champion sealed a 25th career title on her first match point.
Azarenka uncharacteristically garnered only one break point on her opponent's serve in the entire match, while Sharapova needed to convert only three of her 11 chances to break as she completed victory in an hour and 24 minutes.
"I am just happy to win, it's a good tournament with very good players," said the 25-year-old. "It's a shame she was injured and couldn't play her normal game.
"I came to Europe a bit earlier than normal before the French Open and was just going to use this tournament as a warm-up, but it works for me."
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