But with the match looking more and more one-sided, Sharapova’s sudden improved play; combined with several key errors from Ivanovic turned the trajectory of the match completely.

The Russian broke serve, held serve then broke again to reach 3-5.

Ivanovic briefly regrouped to win the next two games to reach 6-3, 1-0.

The second set stayed on serve until the Serb broke serve to lead 3-1. With Sharapova serving at 30-40, the Russian netted a crosscourt forehand to send Ivanovic ahead 3-1.

However at this point in the match, Sharapova hit several powerful groundstrokes including two cross court forehand winners to win the next four games to lead 5-3.

After Ivanovic held serve to reach 5-4, more powerful strokes from Sharapova including a swing forehand volley winner down the line put the Russian ahead at set point.

A netted Ivanovic backhand crosscourt would level the match at one set all.

In the final set, Sharapova took an early 3-1 lead before breaking serve again to lead 4-1.

Serving at 40-15, a Sharapova forehand down the line winner sent the Russian ahead 5-1.

Serving to stay in the match, a netted backhand down the line from Ivanovic put the Serb down triple matchpoint at 0-40.

At 15-40, a Sharapova forehand return winner down the line ended the match.

Since 2011, Sharapova is 40-3 on claycourts with all three losses to the world number one Serena Williams of the USA.