Pro tennis player Maria Sharapova won her third consecutive Porsche Grand Prix tennis title this Sunday in Stuttgart, Germany. Maria was behind but surged ahead to defeat Ana Ivanovic, a former No. 1 as well. Sharapova defeated Ivanovic with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Maria, the defending champion, cruised through the semi-finals, beating out Sara Errani, 6-1, 6-2 in a 59-minute semifinal match.

Facing the final match, it was Anna Ivanovic who took an early lead, winning the first five matches. Sharapova seemed to have trouble reading Ivanovic’s game and change of pace. Still, Sharapova held on as Ivanovic wore down and lost her focus. Sharapova’s game sharpened and she rose to the challenge, fighting to keep her title. It was definitely a showdown as the two top-ranked tennis pro and French Open champions vied for the title.

Speaking about the hard-fought match, Maria says, “I just tried to hang in there. For the first half of the match I thought it might not be my day today, but somehow I turned it around.”

Every disappointment and challenge brought me to this moment today. #grateful #thisiswhyiplay @PorscheTennis pic.twitter.com/eQJZx4cIjI

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) April 27, 2014

Sharapova’s win at the Porche Grand Prix today marks her first tournament win of the year, and the 30th title of her career. She’s now undefeated in the last 13 matches at Stuttgart, Germany. Sharapova returned to tennis only a few months ago after shoulder surgery. “It was a very tough year for me,” she says about facing downtime after the injury. “I had quite a slow beginning to the year, but me and my team have been working hard to get in the position to win titles again, and I’m so happy to be able to do it in Stuttgart,” Maria says of her victorious win today. Congrats on your third title, Maria!

Image via Wikimedia Commons