LOS ANGELES, Nov 12: Amelie Mauresmo made a powerful start in her bid to end the year as world number one with a 6-1 6-0 rout of Vera Zvonareva at the WTA Championships on Thursday.

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova also made a strong debut by beating U.S. Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-4, while Serena Williams posted her second victory in the eight-woman indoor tournament, 7-6 7-5 against Elena Dementieva.

Second-ranked Mauresmo, looking to topple number one Lindsay Davenport, played inspired tennis throughout the 54-minute contest at the Staples Center. Serving with variety and authority and controlling play off the ground with deep, booming ground strokes, the Frenchwoman cracked 15 winners and committed only six unforced errors to 25 from Zvonareva, who has now lost twice in the Black Group.

Mauresmo will have to reach the final to take back the number one ranking from Davenport. Should the American reach the semi-finals, Mauresmo will have to win the tournament. "It would be great (to end 2004 at number one)," Mauresmo said. "Hopefully, I can make it this week even though I know it will be very tough. She's been playing well also. I'm looking forward to the next match every day."

Sharapova, hitting winners from all over the court, withstood a strong rally from Kuznetsova in the second set, breaking her to take their Black Group match with an inside-out backhand return winner.

The 17-year-old had lost her only two previous meetings with her fellow Russian but, playing on a fast indoor surface, was able to keep the points short and dictate play with her serve and return. She hit 23 winners to only nine from Kuznetsova.

"Playing indoors is to her advantage because she doesn't have to move as much," said Kuznetsova, who beat Zvonareva in their opening match on Wednesday. "I'm so excited to be here, to be one of the top eight girls," said Sharapova, a big basketball fan, who added: "It's great to be playing where the (Los Angeles) Lakers play.

"You just feel the excitement. I know I went out there and played my game. I was on." Williams followed her three-set win on Wednesday over third-ranked French Open champion Anastasia Myskina with an equally hard-fought tussle with twice grand slam finalist Dementieva, taking the first-set tiebreak 7-3.

The American mixed up her attack, charging the net, occasionally employing a one-handed slice backhand and throwing in some drop shots. Although not pleased with every aspect of her game, she was happy with how certain attacking facets are evolving.

"It's hard to go out there and get it right. But I'm fighting and I'm hoping," said Williams, who had 22 winners including eight successful net rushes. Williams, who leads the Red Group, took her season-ending tournament tally to 8-1. Davenport allowed Dementieva only one game in a crushing win in the Red Group on Wednesday.

Results:

Round-robin singles

Black Group: Amelie Mauresmo bt Vera Zvonareva 6-1 6-0 Maria Sharapova bt Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-4

Red Group: Serena Williams bt Elena Dementieva 7-6 (7-3) 7-5. -Agencies