Sharapova beats Kvitova to win China Open

Wimbledon Open champion Kvitova broke her opponent in the very first game but Sharapova showed greater intensity towards the end to prevail in a contest that lasted two hours and 28 minutes.

French Open champion Sharapova broke her opponent twice to claim the first set but Kvitova unleashed 15 winners in the second to force a decider.

Sharapova raised her game in the third set to lead 5-3 before serving out the match and raising her hands in celebration after Kvitova buried a return into the net.

World number one Novak Djokovic takes on Tomas Berdych in the men’s final later on Sunday. (Reuters)