Winner Maria rests up before Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova was putting her feet up today, confident in the knowledge that she is ready to start the defence of her Wimbledon crown.

The 18-year-old Russian wrapped up her preparations for the third Grand Slam of the year by retaining the DFS Classic in Birmingham, the grass-court tournament which launched her career 12 months ago.

The world No2 dropped a set for the third time in the tournament but finished strongly to gain a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Serbia's Jelena Jankovic.

It was her 17th consecutive victory on grass and she will now take it easy to get over the effects of a cold and the aches and pains brought on by the transition from clay.

"My cold is better," she said. "My thigh won't get better until I take one or two days off but it will be fine."

The Florida-based Siberian is looking forward to getting back to Wimbledon.

"Once I get there, I am sure it will bring back really good memories and I will feel great," she said.