Maria Sharapova claimed her first career claycourt title with a 7-6 (9/7) 6-3 victory over Dominika Cibulkova in the final of the Bausch & Lomb Championships on Sunday.

Despite being a heavy favourite heading into the match Sharapova was pushed all the way by the 18-year-old Slovakian on the green clay at Amelia Island.

Cibulkova battled hard against Sharapova in the first set, before she succumbed to the Russian in the tie-breaker when she dumped a forehand into the net.

Sharapova, who was well rested after she received a walkover victory in Saturday's semi-final against American Lindsay Davenport, then took charge in the second set to capture her 19th career title.