Sharapova surges to third grand slam title

By Ossian Shine

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - It was to be the Glam Slam, the squealer versus the squeaker. Instead, Saturday's Australian Open women's final was a battle of brinkmanship and jangling nerves. Ana Ivanovic blinked first and Maria Sharapova was the champion.

Russia's tennis Tsarina beat Ivanovic 7-5 6-3 to win her third grand slam title and atone for last year's loss in the final to Serena Williams.

It was an emphatic title -- she won the crown without losing a set in seven matches.

"I love you everyone, thanks so much for everything," the former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion beamed as she held aloft the trophy.

"This morning I got a text from Billie Jean King saying champions take chances and pressure is a privilege. I am just glad I could take my chances today."

For fellow 20-year-old Ivanovic, it was a second grand slam final defeat and one which left her in tears.

"It hurts a bit now but I am sure I can learn from this," she told reporters. "Already I felt better in today's final than in last year's French Open final, so that's good.

"Of course I am disappointed but I feel I have plenty of grand slam finals ahead of me."