Serena Williams beats Sharapova to win Madrid Open and retain number 1 position

Defending champion Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the Madrid Open Sunday to retain her No. 1 ranking and collect her 50th career title. With the top ranking at stake, Williams stormed out to an early lead as Sharapova struggled with her serve.

The second-ranked Russian briefly recovered her poise in the second set, but Williams' form never wavered as she eased to the title.
''I'm very happy, many thanks,'' Williams told the Caja Magica crowd in Spanish before being hoisted aloft by the ball boys to celebrate the trophy.

Williams improved her record against Sharapova to 13-2, with both losses coming in 2004.
It was Sharapova's first loss in a red clay final after winning seven in a row.