BEIJING (AFP) - Maria Sharapova overcame a fierce challenge from Petra Kvitova on Sunday to win the China Open, her first tennis title since she claimed victory at Roland Garros earlier this year.

It was a battling performance from the Russian world No. 4, who will rise to second in the rankings following her hard-fought 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win in Beijing, Kvitova's first loss in nine games.

Both players have already qualified for the WTA Finals in Singapore in two weeks' time.