Maria Sharapova won her first title since her lengthy injury lay-off at the final of the Pan Pacific Open Tennis in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Russian was leading 5-2 in the first set when Serbian seventh seed Jankovic was forced to withdraw with a recurrence of a shoulder injury. It handed Sharapova, who only returned to action in May, her first tournament win since April 2008.

After the match, a delighted Sharapova said “It was my second final of the year, so I was a bit nervous,” Sharapova said.

“It was very tough because Jelena started off so strong.” It was her fifth career victory over Jankovic in seven meetings.

Both players are former world number ones, but both have had a tough season.