By Erik Gudris | Sunday. May 11, 2014

Maria Sharapova overcame a slow start and an in-form opponent to win her first ever title at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday.

Competing inside the famed "La Caja Magica" arena, the No. 8 seed Sharapova faced off against No. 4 seed Simona Halep of Romania for the first time in over two years.

While Halep entered with a 7-0 record in finals since 2013, Sharapova walked in owning a dominant clay-court winning record that included claiming her third Stuttgart title a few weeks ago.

Early on, Halep took control with deep returns that forced Sharapova to try for more on her serve. Already down a break, Sharapova fell behind another one after striking a double fault in the third game.

Sharapova errors, including a netted backhand on set point, allowed Halep to secure the opening set 6-1 in under 30 minutes.

Sharapova recovered immediately at the start of the second set by breaking Halep with a down the line backhand winner. Looking more settled, Sharapova asserted her authority over the set and soon the match. Holding her own serve with more ease, Sharapova eventually leveled the contest at a set apiece.

Halep, who had yet to lose a three-set match all year, tried to resurrect her winning form from earlier. But Sharapova continued dictating even when threatened multiple times in the final set. Serving with a break up 2-1, Sharapova grinded through several deuces before winning an all-court rally to hold serve for 3-1.

Sharapova ascended to a 4-1 lead though Halep would later break back to get in touching distance for 4-3. Not rattled in the least, Sharapova kept hold of her advantage through the last few games.

Up 5-3, Sharapova would soon hold match point on Halep's serve. Halep would net on a final backhand allowing Sharapova to celebrate the 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

"It was tough losing in the final last year and I knew I had to do a few things better to win this year, which thankfully I did," Sharapova said during the trophy ceremony that featured former World No. 1 Dinara Safina.

This is the first Madrid title for Sharapova along with being her 31st WTA career title overall. Due to her results this week, Sharapova is projected to rise to No. 7 in the world on Monday.