Clijsters surges after rain, wins in Cincy

CINCINNATI, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Kim Clijsters rallied after a rain delay Sunday to defeat Maria Sharapova for the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open title in Cincinnati.

Clijsters was on the verge of losing in straight sets before a 74-minute delay, then stormed back to prevail 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in a 2 1/2-hour effort.

Sharapova was on her third match point with a 6-2, 5-3 lead in the second set when the rains came. Afterwards, the Belgian found a second wind, won the first three games and took a 6-5 edge.

Clijsters went on to win the frame in a tie-breaker and forced a decisive third set, which she won easily, taking her third title of the year and the 38th of her career.

Sharapova was bidding for her third tournament win of the season.