Radwanska Claims Biggest Title Of Her Career

Fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska captured her first WTA Premier Mandatory title on Saturday, defeating No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-4 in the Sony Ericsson Open final.

"I really played well today, from the beginning till the end," Radwanska said. "I was really focusing on my serve, and I'm very happy I didn't lose my serve. It was actually I think the key on this match.

"I think I was just playing very good today. Everything was working. I couldn't complain about anything."

Radwanska saved all three break points she faced, and broke the Russian at the end of each set to claim victory in one hour and 44 minutes, ending a six-match losing streak to Sharapova. The 23 year old finished her Miami run without dropping a set en route to winning her ninth career title.

"I thought she played extremely well today," said Sharapova. "She was very consistent, got that extra ball back and I made that extra mistake. She didn't give me many errors. When I had my chances at break point, I didn't take them. When she had them, she did."

The triumph marked Radwanska’s second in 2012, after lifting the trophy in Dubai (d. Georges). The World No. 4 is the 13th different winner in event history, becoming the first Polish woman to finish in the winners' circle. She improved to 26-4 season record, with all four of her defeats coming at the hands of top-ranked Victoria Azarenka.

"You have to play six very good matches to win this tournament," said Radwanska. "So I'm just extremely happy."

Sharapova dropped to a 0-4 final record at Crandon Park, having finished runner-up in 2005, 2006 and 2011. She was contesting her 40th WTA title match and was aiming to win her 25th crown. This year, the three-time Grand Slam champion reached the final at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, falling to Azarenka on both occasions.

"These last two tournaments are always the toughest just because they're so close together and [you're] playing six matches [at each] event," Sharapova said. "So I'm really happy that I got to play all six. Obviously I would have loved to be the winner, but it's just the way it goes."