ISTANBUL, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday in Istanbul and claimed the WTA Championships title for the third time in her career.
Since her first-round loss at the French Open, the 31-year-old American won Wimbledon, and the Olympic and US Open titles this year, although she did not play well at the start of the year following injuries and illness.
Williams took control of the game after she broke the Sharapova's serve to take a 3-2 lead, and then went on to win the first set.
Williams increased her domination and broke Sharapova's serve to start the second set. Both players hung on to their serves until the end of the set, but Williams finished the game with a break.
"It's awesome. To come back after being in the hospital, I feel so happy whether I win or lose," said Serena Williams after the match. "It feels great to have achieved my dream."
Williams also became the oldest women player to win the year-end championships.