SINGAPORE, Dec 29: Maria Sharapova said on Saturday she believed women’s tennis is taking the necessary measures to remain clean amid allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting in the men’s game.

“The women’s game is very clean,” the fifth-ranked player told reporters in Singapore a day ahead of an exhibition match with her Russian compatriot, Anna Chakvetadze, ranked sixth.

Sharapova, 20, said WTA Tour chief executive and chairman Larry Scott is doing all the things possible, from having meetings throughout the year to encouraging players to be safe and smart about their choices.

“Unfortunately we have to be realistic about the fact that some of these things do go on ... but at the end of the day I believe that women’s tennis is doing a great job of being clean,” Sharapova said.

Concerns about match-fixing in men’s tennis have risen since August, when an online betting company reported unusual betting patterns during a match between fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina. Since then, several players have said they were approached with offers to fix matches for money.

The ATP suspended Italians Potito Starace and Daniele Bracciali for making bets on tennis matches involving other players.

Sharapova also welcomed the new surface that the upcoming Australian Open will be played on. Organisers of the 2008 event, the year’s first tennis major, have replaced the cushioned Rebound Ace courts at Melbourne Park with firmer Plexicushion. —AP