ROME – Russia’s Maria Sharapova rallied to beat Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico in Rome on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Sharapova needed two hours and 35 minutes on the red clay in Rome to win her 35th career title.

The Russian was two games away from losing the match in the second set, but the 26-year-old Suarez Navarro was unable to hold serve and take it to a tiebreaker.

Sharapova, who also won titles in Rome in 2011 and 2012, is heading into the French Open with a big win on clay under her belt.

The Russian star will return to the No. 2 spot when the new WTA rankings come out on Monday, while Suarez Navarro will move up to No. 8 in the world.

The Italian Open is one of the main tune-up events for the French Open, which gets underway on May 24.