Li Na beats Sharapova to Aegon title

CHINA's Li Na proved too strong for former world no 1 Maria Sharapova at Edgbaston for the second year in succession yesterday when she claimed the Aegon Classic grasscourt title with a 7-5, 6-1 victory.

The top seed was given a tough fight early on by Sharapova before racing to her third career title. "It's always exciting to be in the final, you can show your best tennis to everyone," Australian Open semi-finalist Li said. " I hit the ball flatter and it makes it easier to win points on grass."

Three-times grand slam champion Sharapova, trying to climb back into the world's top ten after her career was stalled by a serious shoulder injury, lost to Li in last year's semi-finals. Although she again found the Chinese blocking her attempt to win a third Edgbaston title, the Russian was far from downhearted as she switched her focus to Wimbledon.

"The goal was to get as many matches as I could and I did that and I've played opponents with different types of game," Sharapova said. "It's always nice to win a tournament but it doesn't always happen. I would have loved to win but she was the better player and she did many things better than me."