WTA Madrid Open: Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapove in Sunday's final

Serena Williams retained her Mutua Madrid Open title with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Maria Sharapova.

The American required just 78 minutes to dispose of her rival for the number one spot in the world rankings, extending her record to 13-2 against the Russian.

Sharapova has not beaten Williams since 2004 but with the top ranking up for grabs the 15-time Grand Slam champion turned on the style.

Williams had dropped just one set in the last seven meetings between the two and Sharapova looked unlikely to improve that record after she was broken three times in a one-sided opening set.

Sharapova, 26, did not manage to fashion a single break point in the first set - compared to five for Williams - but she improved in the second as she capitalised on one of her two break points.

However, that was not enough as Williams broke twice in reply to clinch the match and with it the 50th WTA title of her career - becoming only the 10th woman in history to reach the milestone.