• WTA Championships

Serena sinks Sharapova to end season on a high

ESPN staff
October 28, 2012

Serena Williams continued her dominance over Maria Sharapova as she ended the season on a high with victory at the WTA Championships.

The world No. 3 extended her unbeaten stretch to nine matches against the Russian as she claimed a 6-4 6-3 victory in Istanbul to win the season finale for a third time.

Victoria Azarenka will end 2012 as the world No. 1, but Williams, who beat both Azarenka and world No. 2 Sharapova en route to the title, ends the season with two grand slam trophies, Olympic gold and the WTA Championships title to her name.

The American was indomitable on serve - firing 11 aces as she powered to victory without facing a single break point.

She has not lost to Sharapova since the pair met in the year-end final back in 2004, and such is her recent dominance over the French Open champion, Williams dropped a single game when she beat Sharapova in the Olympic final at London 2012.

Williams' power and precision proved devastating as she effortlessly peppered the corners. After breaking Sharapova's initial resistance midway through the opening set, Williams squandered two set points before sealing the first set at the third time of asking.

With Sharapova desperately needing to find a way back into the match, Williams tightened her grip early in the second set, breaking in the opening game before securing victory inside an hour and a half to end the year with figures of 58-4.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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