By Chris Davies
April 2 2005

Maria Sharapova was just another highly ranked name added to those that have lost to former world number one Kim Clijsters has she lost in the final of the Nasdaq 100 Open in Miami, Florida to claim back-to-back titles Clijsters phenomenal comeback from a career threatening injury has seen her beat the likes of Elena Dementieva, Anastasia Myskina, Amelie Mauresmo and now Maria Sharapova to claim a second masters title in back-to-back tournaments.

The match was interrupted twice with them leaving the court on one occasion for 15 mintues due to the very windy conditions and the heavy rain but it did not hold off to long what was about to happen. The paid traded breaks in the first 2 games with Clijsters taking the crucial break at 2-2 which she went on to win the set 6-3.

In the second set it was more of a tight affair has the wind died down and the Russian was able to produce some brilliant winners and look has though a comeback was on the cards. But Sharapova just lacked that extra motivation and was not convincing at the net but forced her way back from match points at 5-4 to draw level at 5-5.

The world number 3 could not manage to hold onto her serve after holding 2 game points only to be broken to go down 6-5 and allow the Belgian to serve out the match and clinch the title on her fifth match point.

Kim Clijsters who did not drop a set to clinch the title has seen her ranking climb from 133 up to 17 on Monday became the first unseeded player to claim the title and the first since 1996 Steffi Graf to win the double, Indian Wells and Nasdaq 100 Open.

Final Result

Kim Clijsters (BEL) bt (2) Maria Sharapova (RUS)
6-3, 7-5