Li storms to AEGON title

Li Na of China clinched the AEGON Classic title in Birmingham with a 7-5 6-1 victory over Maria Sharapova.

Top seed eases to victory in Birmingham final

Li Na of China clinched the AEGON Classic title in Birmingham with a 7-5 6-1 victory over Maria Sharapova. It is the second time the top-ranked Li has defeated the former Wimbledon champion at the Priory after winning their semi-final match 12 months ago. Sharapova, seeded two and twice a winner in Birmingham, broke Li early and led 3-1 but then found it increasingly hard to land her first serves, firing seven double faults in total. Once Li broke back for 3-3, she got on top and by the start of the second set, Sharapova's confidence had dipped. The Russian was outmaneouvred in the baseline rallies as Li hit a number of brilliantly struck drives from both wings to close out the victory. "Last year I beat Maria in the semi-finals and then was so excited I forgot I had another match," Li said. "I'm excited again. If I had another match this time, I think I would probably lose that too."