 Sharapova's victory in Tokyo earned her a £220,000 top prize |
Maria Sharapova sealed her first title since her lengthy injury lay-off after Jelena Jankovic retired in the final of the Pan Pacific O! pen in Tokyo.
The 22-year-old Russian was leading 5-2 in the first set when Serbian seventh seed Jankovic was forced to withdraw with a recurrence of a shoulder injury.
It handed Sharapova, who only returned to action in May, her first tournament win since Amelia Island in April 2008.
"It was my second final of the year, so I was a bit nervous," Sharapova said.
"It was very tough because Jelena started off so strong."
It was her fifth career victory over Jankovic in seven meetings.
Both players are former world number ones, but both have had a tough season.
Former champion Sharapova came into the tournament unseeded after fighting back from arthroscopic surgery to repair ! a rotator cuff in her right shoulder nearly a year ago.
