Maria Sharapova outlasted Czech star Petra Kvitova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to win the China Open on Sunday and return to No. 2 in the Women's Tennis Association rankings.
The fourth-seeded Sharapova won her fourth title of the year and first since winning the French Open in June.
With her latest win, Sharapova will jump over Romania's Simona Halep and the Czech
Republic's Petra Kvitova to the No. 2 spot in the rankings, behind U.S. star Serena Williams. Just five months ago, the Russian was one defeat away from dropping out of the top 10 for the first time since 2011.
Kvitova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, fell short of earning her second title in as many weeks. She beat Eugenie Bouchard, the promising young Canadian, to win the Wuhan Open last week.
Sharapova has won five Grand Slam titles since turning professional in 2001. She also won a silver medal for Russia at the London Summer Olympics.
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