Serena Williams of the US is lifted up in the air by ball boys as she poses with the Ion Tiriac's trophy after winning the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, May 12, 2013. World number one and top seed Williams racked up the 50th title of her 18-year career when she thumped Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-4 to defend her Madrid Open crown on Sunday. [Photo/Agencies]

In the women's competition, Serena Williams lived up to her billing as top seed as she swept aside number two seed Maria Sharapova in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 to retain the title she won last year. It is the 50th title she has won in her career.

Williams had beaten Sharapova in three sets in Miami at the end of March, and has now won 13 matches against the Russian to just 2 defeats.

She was helped on her way in her first final on red clay since 2002 by the fact that Sharapova never looked comfortable on her serve, committing five double faults in her first three service games, as Williams moved two breaks ahead.

Williams gained confidence and look for her shots and the American hit some powerful winning drives before sealing the set with a hanging return.

Sharapova rallied at the start of the second set and broke Williams' serve, while holding her first two service games to move 3-1 ahead, but another double fault allowed Williams to break back and level the set and from that point there was no looking back as another Sharapova double fault and an over-hit return in the final game helped Williams to victory.

She celebrated by being lifted into the air by the ballboys on the main court in Madrid's Caja Magica, where the event was held.

"I don't know how many more (titles) I can win. Like I say every day, who knows if I'll ever win another title? I just want to live the moment and the dream every chance I get," she said afterwards, before saying that despite all her success, she doesn't tire of the game.

"I feel like every moment that I play, I just feel like I'm so fortunate to be out there and healthy and to have an opportunity to play something, a sport, and be really good at it," commented Williams.