Sharapova sinks Schnyder in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Top-seeded and defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia defeated Patty Schnyder in three sets Sunday to win the $1.34 million Acura Classic.

Sharapova, the 2006 U.S. Open champion and 2007 Australian Open runner-up, scored a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 victory over the 11th-seeded Swiss for her first title of 2007.

Sharapova, who has 16 career titles, beat fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze in the semifinals to earn a berth in the finals. Schnyder beat ninth-seeded Elena Dementieva 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 in her semifinal match.

Schnyder has one championship this year, in Istanbul, and has seven for her career.