Photos: Maria Sharapova moves to world No2 with China Open win

Maria Sharapova will rise to number two in the world rankings next week after beating Petra Kvitova to win the China Open in Beijing.

The Russian 27-year-old battled to a 6-4 2-6 6-3 victory over the third seed to claim her fourth WTA title of the year.

“I knew she’d been on a roll in the last couple of weeks,” said Sharapova.

“”It’s probably the toughest opponent you can face in a final, that’s had that success, yet you just want to focus on your side, what you do best.

“She became the more aggressive player in the second set. I think I took a few too many steps back and let her play that way. But I was able to lift my game again in the third and come out with a win.”

Sharapova’s 33rd WTA title ties her with Conchita Martínez for 15th-most in the Open Era.

Her fourth title of the year marks the most she has won in a season since she won five in 2006.