RUSSIA's Maria Sharapova strolled to the Pacific Life Open title with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 victory over fellow countrywoman Elena Dementieva. The third seed took one hour 22 minutes to win in blustery conditions, which made for an error- strewn game. After a drubbing in the first set, Dementieva, Justine Henin- Hardenne's semi-final conqueror, won the first two games of the second. But Sharapova rattled off six games in a row to secure her 11th career title. "It feels really great," said the Russian, who had not won a tournament since June and has struggled with shoulder and rib injuries. "I've worked really hard the past few months to get past my injury and to really believe in myself. It's moments like these where the hard work comes into your mind." The final was a disappointment in terms of quality, with strong winds playing a part. "It was so tough," said Sharapova. "You can be playing great tennis and you come out today and you can be looking like garbage. "You just never know, and I tried to hang in there. You just never know if the ball is going to go in or out, especially on serve." World number one Roger Federer won his third straight Indian Wells Masters Series title by beating American James Blake 7-5 6-3 6-0. The Swiss managed to withstand a fast start from an inspired Blake, coming from two breaks down to take charge. After breaking to lead 5-3 in the second set, Federer reeled off the next seven games to finish the match. "I played fantastic tennis with some great shots," said Federer, who has won 22 matches in 2006 and lost only one. "I felt very, very confident on the court. I knew it was almost impossible that I was going to lose this final." Blake, who will be in the top 10 when the new rankings are unveiled, blamed his drop off on a few loose points of his own and the fearsome pressure applied by Federer. "He did everything he needed to do to win," said Blake. "Instead of making him come up with a great passing shot, I went for too much, ended up missing, gave him freebies." Federer's only loss this year came at the hands of Spaniard Rafael Nadal in Dubai.
