World number two Maria Sharapova saved her best performance of the week for last as she successfully defended her Stuttgart grand prix title with a 6-4 6-3 victory over second seed Li Na of china to kick off her clay-court season in style.
Sharapova, who had needed three sets in all her previous rounds in Stuttgart, found it easier against Li, with her serve setting her up for her second consecutive victory at the indoor arena.
It’s the perfect preparation for the 26-year-old French Open champion’s title defence at Roland Garros in May.
Sharapova has won two tour titles this season after victory at the Indian Wells.
Meanwhile, Rafa Nadal became the first player to win four titles this year when he defeated fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-4 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open for the eighth time in nine years.
Since returning from a seven-month absence owing to a left knee injury, the world number five has reached the final at all six events he has played, his Barcelona triumph adding to the victories in Sao Paulo, Acapulco and Indian Wells.
The reigning French Open champion has now won four titles since his comeback in February and has been the beaten finalist twice.
Fernando Verdasco is the only other player to have won the tournament since 2004, taking the title in 2010 with Nadal absent owing to fatigue.
Nadal’s next tournament is the Madrid Open which begins on may the 5th.