Maria Sharapova faced defeat over the stronger Serena Williams in the final of the Sony Open in Miami on Saturday. Williams beat Sharapova in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.
At 31, the No. 1-ranked Williams became the oldest female champion at Key Biscayne. She won the tournament for the first time since 2008 and surpassed Steffi Graf, a five-time champion.
“Serena played a great match,” Sharapova said. “I’m sure we’ll be playing a few more times this year.”
In the semi-final rounds, world number one Williams beat fourth seeded defending champion Agnieska Radwanska 6-0 6-3, while Sharapova, who won at Indian Wells earlier this month, defeated Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic 6-2 6-1.