Zurich, October 22:

Maria Sharapova became the first Russian to win the Zurich Open, beating Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 today in the final.

Sharapova, who has now won three of the WTA Tour’s top 10 events, still has a chance to finish the year as the top-ranked player.

Amelie Mauresmo, who withdrew from the Zurich Open with a shoulder injury, and second-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne, who hasn’t played since mid-September because of a knee problem, still lead the US Open champion in the rankings.

Mauresmo leads Sharapova by 630 points, but many of the Frenchwomen’s points will expire before this season ends. Sharapova also won Tier I events in San Diego and Indian Wells, California.

Hantuchova, who has only one career title, was playing in a final for the first time in 14 months.