Sharapova Overwhelms Wozniacki, Wins 2nd Indian Wells Title

Maria Sharapova put in a command performance against Caroline Wozniacki en route to winning her second BNP Paribas Open title.

By Erik Gudris

(March 17th, 2013) -- Maria Sharapova took charge early on at the BNP Paribas Open finals in Indian Wells and never looked back as she cruised to her first title of the year.

Facing another former champion in Caroline Wozniacki, Sharapova might have been thinking about their last meeting at Indian Wells a few years ago when Wozniacki earned a straightforward victory in the semifinals. Sharapova showed signs early she wanted to seize control as she broke Wozniacki's opening service game at love.

Though Sharapova struggled with a poor 38% first service percentage, it was her second serve and a rock solid backhand that more than made up for it. Wozniacki did manage to stay in touch with the Russian mid-way through the set, but that did little to help her deal with Sharapova's blistering power.

With aggressive returning, Sharapova opened up a 5-2 lead. Wozniacki did manage two break points against Sharapova in the next game, but Sharapova fought them off and then closed out the set 6-2 with a forehand winner.

The winners count at the end of the set told most of the story with Sharapova hitting 17 to just one for Wozniacki.

An ill-timed double fault from Wozniacki on break point allowed Sharapova to maintain her advantage in the second set. The all-out assault from Sharapova continued as Wozniacki at times had to get on her knees to handle the power directed at her.

As in the first set, Sharapova broke again for a 5-2 lead and didn't let up in the final game. She held serve at love and with a final 109 mph serve closed out the convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory.

33 winners from Sharapova in total to just two from Wozniacki was the main stat in this one. During her moment to sign a message on the on-court camera, Sharapova didn't scribble a cryptic message as she has done all week. She simply wrote a fitting "Champion <3".

This marks the second title at Indian Wells for Sharapova who will rise to No. 2 in the world on Monday.

When asked by ESPN's Pam Shriver if the feeling was different now winning the title as it was seven years ago, Sharapova said, "I'm a much more calm champion. I've been through so much in my career and I really appreciate these moments. I really work for them, It's what I do all the work for are these moments. I'm much more calmer about my career especially after my injury. The wins and losses are very different to take but when you have days like this being a champion it's really nice because you feel like everything has paid off."

As far as her goals for this season, Sharapova has a simple one, "Stay healthy. That's the biggest key for me. When I'm healthy my mind is free and I'm able to go out on the court and perform and win or lose that's the best feeling in the world as an athlete."

(Photo Credit: Natasha Peterson/Corleve)