Maria Sharapova was able to do something she has never done before in her career – beat Kim Clijsters. In a final that featured numerous service breaks, Sharapova was able to beat the Belgium 7-5, 7-5 in a tight match on Aug. 6 at the Acura Classic, which was held at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad.

Sharapova, ranked No. 4 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, did not lose a set en route to her first-ever Acura Classic championship. Sharapova had lost in four previous meetings against Clijsters, ranked No. 2 in the world.

“There’s not a lot things not to like about my game,” Sharapova told The Associated Press. “I played a pretty solid five players and came out with two-set wins in each one. It gives me confidence and I feel like I’m match tough again.”

Sharapova won a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at Indian Wells in March, and now has 12 career titles.

Clijsters, who was seeded first, previously announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2007 season. She suffered from back pain during the final, missing many shots at crucial times in the later stages of the second set.

Sharapova, serving at 3-3, 0-40 in the second set, battled her way back into the game to win it and take a 4-3 lead.

There were other service games in the first set where she did the same thing, but on some occasions she lost serve. The first set was riddled with service breaks before Sharapova broke Clijsters’ serve to take the set.

In her semifinal win over fifth-seeded Patty Schnyder, Sharapova overpowered the Swiss with deep ground strokes and dominating serves, but played consistent tennis to capture a 7-5, 6-4 win.

“Against Patty you have to be patient, you don’t have a choice,” Sharapova said. “She makes you work for every shot. She wants you to go for a winner.”

The first set remained on serve with Schnyder leading 5-4. In the next game, down 0-30 and 2 points away from losing the set, Sharapova proceeded to hit an ace, service winner, overhead smash and drop shot volley winner to come back and even the set at 5-5. Sharapova was able to break Schnyder’s serve in the next game for a 6-5 lead to serve out the first set.

After losing her serve in the first game of the second set, Schnyder realized the importance of trying to break back and stay in the match. During the next game, which featured seven deuces, Schnyder couldn’t capitalize on numerous service-break opportunities.

“At the beginning of the second set, I felt good in each game,” Schnyder said. “I had my chances and everything went her way, which was disappointing for me. But still, I had the shots and I was there playing the game.”

After that struggle, Sharapova rolled to a commanding 5-1 lead and it looked as if it was going to be another routine win. Schnyder, on the other hand, still had tricks up her sleeve. She held serve, broke and then held again to close the gap to 4-5. It was too little too late as Sharapova served out the victory.