BIRMINGHAM, England (AP)—Top-seeded Li Na beat Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-1 Sunday
to win the grass-court Aegon Classic and claim her first title this year.

Sharapova lost to Li in the semifinals of last year’s tournament and the
Chinese player produced a repeat performance, winning her first title on grass.

“Last year I beat Maria in the semifinals, 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.”

Second-seeded Sharapova won in Birmingham in 2004—the year she won
Wimbledon—and again in 2005.

Sharapova said she was pleased to get a string of matches under her belt
before Wimbledon, which starts a week from Monday.

“I came here to get as many matches as I could, and I did,” she said.
“It’s nice to win the tournament, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

Sharapova broke Li early and led 3-1, but then found it increasingly hard to
land her first serves. Li broke back for 3-3, and by the start of the second
set, Sharapova’s confidence had dipped.

The Russian player, who had seven double-faults, was outmaneuvered in the
baseline rallies as Li hit a number of brilliantly struck drives from both wings
to close out the victory.

Li reached the semifinals of the Australian Open this year, and she’s hoping
to reach the same stage at Wimbledon.

Li will play another grass-court tournament, at Eastbourne next week, before
Wimbledon. Sharapova will spend next week on the practice courts before the
year’s third major.