MELBOURNE, Jan 26: Maria Sharapova’s first Australian Open title was a reward for all the hard work she has put into her game following a disappointing injury-marred 2007, the Russian said on Saturday.

The fifth seed overpowered fourth seed Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3 to win her first title at Melbourne Park and third Grand Slam crown after recovering from a nagging shoulder problem.

“It’s amazing,” Sharapova told reporters. “Sometimes when you’re putting the work in it just seems so hard and you never know when that work’s gonna pay off.

“When you’re going through tough moments, you never know when you’re going to have good moments. I’m just so thankful that I got this one.”

Sharapova served consistently throughout the match, keeping Ivanovic under pressure with her power and accuracy, but she said she had served better in wins over Lindsay Davenport and world number one Justine Henin on the way to the final.

“I don’t think today was my best serving performance of the (tournament),” she said. “I served better against Lindsay and Justine. But I did the things I needed to do in order to win the match.”

Sharapova was asked if her win was even sweeter because she lost in last year’s Australian Open final.

“No. Just satisfying, period, to win a grand slam and to win one that you’ve never won before, especially after some of the tough losses that I’ve had,” she replied.

Sharapova also paid tribute to fellow 20-year-old Ivanovic, a player she expects to face regularly in the next few years. “I don’t know if it’s a rivalry,” she said.—Reuters