ROME, Italy (AFP) — Russia’s Maria Sharapova warmed up for the defence of her French Open title by securing her third Italian Open crown with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez yesterday.

Suarez, bidding for only the second title of her career but first from the Masters 1000 series, made a stunning start at the Foro Italico where the players faced sweltering conditions.

The Spanish 10th seed broke the world number three midway through the opening set and had Sharapova on the ropes in a tight second before the Russian found the breakthrough.

Sharapova broke the Spaniard in the eighth game of the second set for a 5-3 lead and, after going on to hand her opponent three break points in the next game, she recovered to level the match.

Sharapova admitted she had too many errors in the opening set and beginning of the second, but said: “I thought the errors I was making… were really close. I felt like I was doing the right thing and I’m glad I gave myself a chance to cut those down.

“She’s a really all-around player who can step in, can step back. She was really far behind the baseline and I feel like I took advantage of that.

“I felt that I was the fresher one, felt like I was more aggressive.”

The diminutive Suarez struggled with Sharapova’s movement and variety of shots, in particular the Russian’s two-handed backhand, which she used to devastating effect throughout.

However, Sharapova will be looking to improve several aspects of her game – notably in terms of unforced errors – if she is to go all the way in Paris in the coming weeks.

American rival Serena Williams, the winner in Rome the past two years, withdrew before the third round earlier this week citing an elbow injury and will be desperate to improve in Paris, where she was knocked out in the second round last year.

It is only Sharapova’s second title of the year after her win in Brisbane, and she admits the form that had deserted her of late is only now beginning to return.

“Late in the third set I wasn’t there, I hadn’t prepared enough to be ready. To see where I was physically in the third set today was a huge difference against someone who can withstand a very long match,” added the Russian.

“That give me a lot of confidence. I’ve come a long way physically in the last few weeks. But it’s taken a lot of mental and physical work to get to this stage.”

Sharapova, who secured her final spot with victory over Victoria Azarenka, handed Suarez a break point in the opening game of the third set and, despite twice saving the game, Suarez moved ahead when Sharapova hit an easy return just wide.

That setback only served to spur the Russian, who broke back immediately, sealing the game with a two-handed backhand return that Suarez did not even bother to try and reach.

Sharapova moved 3-1 ahead when Suarez, having first saved break point, conceded the game with a weak return that hit the net, effectively ending her challenge.

The Russian held her serve for a 4-1 lead and, with Suarez’s confidence deserting her, earned a double break point before taking her lead to 5-1, holding serve on her final game to seal the victory.

Suarez, who beat three top-10 players on her way to the final, could spring a surprise at Roland Garros in less than a week’s time.

She said: “It was a really close match. I knew I needed to start really strongly, and I did. But at the end of the second set Maria began to play more aggressively.

“I think that was the key. But overall I am happy with my performance.”