December 31, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 20, 1428

SINGAPORE, Dec 30: Former world number one Maria Sharapova defeated fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-0, 7-6 (12-10) in an exhibition match here on Sunday.

The first set was all Sharapova as the former Wimbledon and US Open champion won 6-0, overwhelming her opponent with some blistering first serves and clean winners from the baseline.

A series of double faults from Chakvetadze gifted the former world number one several free points during the first set which took just 26 minutes.

It was a tighter affair in the second set as Chakvetadze, ranked sixth in the world, started to found her range from the baseline and served better.

Both girls, aged 20, struggled to hold on to their serves in the second set with Chakvetadze squandering her chances to win the second set when she was up 5-2.

Sharapova, who is using the Singapore match as part of her preparation for next month’s Australian Open, is pleased with her performance after coming back from the off-season.

“I think I did a pretty good job,” she said.

Sharapova, currently ranked fifth, heads next to Hong Kong for the JB Group Classic that will feature Chakvetadze, reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and number four Serbian Ana Ivanovic.—AFP