Maria Sharapova wins Italian Open

Maria Sharapova came from a set down to take her third Italian Open. It's her second title of the year and comes a week before the start of the second grand slam event of the year at the French Open where she is the women's singles champion.

Maria Sharapova won the Italian Open in 2011 and 2012. Reuters/Stefan Rellandini

Maria Sharapova warmed up for the defence of her French Open crown with a three set win over Carla Suarez to take the Italian Open.

The Russian third seed dropped the opener 6-4 to the Spanish 10th seed.

But the 28-year-old edged the second set 7-5 and swept through the decider 6-1 to claim the Rome championship for the third time following wins in 2011 and 2012.

Sharapova, who once compared her movement on clay to that of a cow on ice, will be one of the favourites for the French Open which starts on 24 May in Paris.

Victory in the Italian capital was Sharapova's 11th championship on clay and the 35th of her career. She also moves above the Romanian Simona Halep in the women's rankings to number two.

Serena Williams remains top of the charts despite withdrawing from Rome before the third round.

The 33-year-old American will be top seed at the French Open when the draw is made.