Indian Wells, March 19:

Third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova blew past fourth-seeded compatriot Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2 to win the WTA Indian Wells title.

Sharapova, who is expected to move up a spot to No 4 in the world with the victory, said she tried mostly to keep the ball in court and await her chances to attack. Once and for all Sharapova erased the memory of her 6-0, 6-0 semi-final defeat by Lindsay Davenport here last year.

James Blake denied Rafael Nadal another desert duel with Roger Federer, beating the second seed 7-5, 6-3 to reach the final in men’s section. Federer beat Paradon Srichanphan of Thailand 6-2, 6-3.