Sharapova seals Strasbourg win

Number one seed Maria Sharapova claimed the Strasbourg International title with victory over Kristina Barrois.

Barrois well beaten by number one seed

Number one seed Maria Sharapova claimed the Strasbourg International title with a straight-sets victory over Kristina Barrois. The Russian recovered from 3-5 down in the first set, winning seven straight games en route to a 7-5 6-1 victory over her German opponent. Sharapova took her 22nd career title with the win - her second of the year - as she continued her comeback from an elbow injury. Barrois' neat game served her well in the opening stages, as she took advantage of unforced errors to break to love in the fifth game. She eventually earned the opportunity to serve for the set and, although she managed to save two break points, the world number 77 eventually cracked.

Dominant

Sharapova then went on a dominant run and broke again at the crucial time to avoid a tie-break and win the set. The former world number one was then too much in the second set, surging into a 3-0 lead before Barrois managed to get on the board. But this did not deter an on-form Sharapova, who secured another easy break before serving out the match to win in convincing style. The title is the 23-year-old's second on clay as she prepares for the French Open, where she will face Ksenia Pervak in the first round.