Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Hard training and greater perspective on life helped Maria Sharapova seal her first Australian Open tennis title with a straight-set victory over Ana Ivanovic yesterday.

The 20-year-old Russian said a year of injuries and bereavement, together with a grueling off-season, had played a part in her resurgence to a third major title.

Sharapova, the top-earning women's athlete, didn't drop a set at the tournament and overpowered No. 4 seed Ivanovic in 91 minutes, a year after crumbling against Serena Williams in the title match in Melbourne. A shoulder injury restricted her to six events in the second half of 2007.

``I had many setbacks throughout last year,'' Sharapova said in an interview with Bloomberg Television at Rod Laver Arena. ``I'm so happy I can come through and perform great throughout the whole two weeks.''

Struggling with a cyst on her wrist as well as the shoulder problem, the Siberian-born right-hander had plenty of time to reflect last year. Sharapova dedicated the win to her coach Michael Joyce's mother, who died of cancer in April.

``After that loss I just gained a whole new perspective on life and my injuries and how to treat life with respect,'' Sharapova told reporters.

A year ago, Sharapova struggled with the heat in Australia. Her pre-season preparations took in an exhibition in Singapore where three days of indoor training made yesterday's conditions ``a piece of cake,'' the former No. 1 said. Temperatures reached 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius) during the final.

`Great Tournament'

With her 6-foot-2 frame fully recovered, she ended No. 1 Justine Henin's 32-match win streak in the quarterfinals and handed Ivanovic a second defeat in a Grand Slam final. Sharapova had her service broken only six times at the tournament.

``I didn't get many chances on her serve,'' said Ivanovic, who climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 2 with her run in Melbourne. ``She played well and she had a great tournament.''

Sharapova didn't lose a point when serving until the eighth game and won all but two points on her service in the second set. She said her experience paid when French Open runner-up Ivanovic was two points away from taking the first set.

``I didn't get impatient, I was just steady, I knew that it was for her to take,'' Sharapova said. ``And she didn't.''

Sharapova, who won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old, was the highest-paid women's athlete in 2007, according to Forbes. Endorsements from companies including Nike Inc. and Canon Inc. lifted her earnings last year to $23 million even after her prize money fell by $2.1 million. She collected a check for A$1.37 million ($1.2 million) yesterday.

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``Tennis is the most important thing,'' said Sharapova, who also won the 2006 U.S. Open. ``As long as I'm winning, the other things will take care of the rest.''

Sharapova said she had a text message from former Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King before the match saying: ``Champions take chances and pressure's a privilege.'' Another followed the victory: ``Congratulations. You did great.''

``She's always one of the first people to text me when either I'm having a tough moment or a great win,'' Sharapova said. ``It's wonderful because she's just done so much for the game and is such a great supporter of the sport.''

Sharapova needs nine more Grand Slam titles to match the 64-year-old King's career tally. She also has to win the French Open -- the tournament that's least suited to her power game -- to complete the set of four majors.

``Its going to be one of the biggest challenges of my career to win the French Open,'' Sharapova added. ``But I've got many more years ahead of me.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Grant Clark at Melbourne Park gclark@bloomberg.net; Heidi Couch at Melbourne Park

Last Updated: January 26, 2008 09:29 EST