As she did at Indian Wells, California, last week, Clijsters made her championship run from the unseeded ranks, reconfirming her return from the wrist injury that sidelined her for much of 2004.

The 21-year-old shrugged off a rain delay of nearly an hour, then persevered as both players struggled to hold serve in a second set played in blustery winds under threatening skies.

After two exchanges of service breaks in the second set, Clijsters claimed a 4-3 lead with a remarkable break point, in which she managed to lob back a Sharapova overhead to keep the rally alive until the unsettled Sharapova missed.

Clijsters consolidated her advantage by holding her serve to love.

But her first chance to serve for the match came against the wind, and Sharapova was able to record another break for 5-5.