World No 1 Novak Djokovic destroyed Tomas Berdych in a lop-sided contest to win his fifth China Open crown on Sunday while Maria Sharapova overcame Petra Kvitova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in the women's final to move up to No 2 in the world rankings.
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.
"It was a bit of an up-and-down match I'd say -- maybe not the best out of the tournament," Sharapova told reporters.
"But it's never easy playing against Petra. You don't always quite get a good rhythm. She goes for a lot of shots, very deep, and she's a very good, confident player.
"She became the more aggressive player in the second set. I think I took a few too many steps back and let her play that way. But I was able to lift my game again in the third and come out with a win," she added.
Sharapova hit 18 winners
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.
Sharapova hit 18 winners compared to Kvitova's 25 but committed 15 less unforced errors than her opponent's 44 to prevail in the three-setter.
‘I had some chances but Maria just didn't let them go’
Kvitova, who won in Wuhan last week, conceded she had succumbed to fatigue towards the end of the contest.
"I was tired, but it was a final, and every time I'm playing a final, I'm giving everything I have inside," the Czech said.
"What I did today was a great battle. It was small things and small points that make the difference in the end. I had some chances but Maria just didn't let them go.
"She just played really well. And we played two and a half (hours), so I hope the fans enjoyed it too," she added.
Djokovic seals fifth China Open title
Top seed Novak Djokovic took 66 minutes to seal a 6-0, 6-2 win against Berdych, who raised his arms in celebration when he won a game to avoid the ignominy of a double bagel with the Serb leading 6-0, 5-0 and serving for the match.
Berdych managed to win back-to-back games, but it was just a matter of time before Djokovic sealed an easy win to continue his love affair with the Beijing tournament where he now has a 24-0 record.
