STUTTGART, Germany (AP) Second-ranked Maria Sharapova cruised past world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday to win the Porsche Grand Prix for her first title of the year.
Sharapova lost to Azarenka in the finals of the Australian Open and Indian Wells this year, and had never beaten her rival in four previous encounters in a final.
The Russian won her 25th career title, an honor roll that also includes three Grand Slam championships.
Sharapova made her debut this year in Stuttgart, a tournament played on indoor clay.
Sharapova won her fourth clay court title while Azarenka lost her second match of the year.