The seventh-ranked and fourth-seed Clijsters lost the first set to number fifteen Sharapova and was on the verge of losing the match in the second set staved off three match points, with Sharapove leading the second set then at 5-3.
The storm delay may have been good for Clijsters as she battled back after the rain delay to force a tiebreak and eventually take the second set. From then on, the momentum shifted to Clijsters’ side.
Clijsters dominated the third set, breaking serve twice on her way to her second Cincy title in as many times that she has joined the tournament.