Sharapova serves up sweet tune-up for Australian Open

SINGAPORE: Russian star Maria Sharapova was off to a good start in her tune-up for next month's Australian Open, winning her exhibition match in Singapore against compatriot Anna Chakvetadze.
   
The former world number one is using the Singapore match and a tournament in Hong Kong later this week to fine-tune her game before launching her Australian Open assault.
   
Sharapova said her Asian strategy was an attempt to go one better at next month's Australian Open in Melbourne where she lost in the final in 2007 to American Serena Williams.
   
The former Wimbledon and US Open champion defeated her compatriot in straight sets, winning 6-0, 7-6 (12/10) in one hour and 34 minutes with blistering first serves and clean winners from the baseline.
   
It was a closer match in the second set as Chakvetadze found her groove but Sharapova eventually prevailed in the tightly contested tie-breaker with her powerful groundstrokes.
   
"I think I did a pretty good job," Sharapova said after the match on Sunday.

Next up for the world number five is Hong Kong where she will play in the star-studded JB Group Classic tournament which features sixth-ranked Chakvetadze, reigning Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and number four Serbian Ana Ivanovic, among others.
   
"... I am going to take every single match seriously because it is like I said, my only preparation for the Australian Open," Sharapova had said before her Singapore match.

The Russian star, who came close to adding this year's Australian Open crown to her grand slam resume, gave the thumbs up to the new Plexi cushion surface for the first grand slam of the season which starts January 14.
   
"Well I heard it's going to be a faster surface and I also heard that it's not going to be as sticky which is going to be beneficial for all players especially in extreme heat.
The court gets very sticky and a lot of injuries can occur," said Sharapova.
    
"So yes, I am very excited about it," she said.
   
Organisers of the Australian Open have announced the Plexicushion hardcourt will replace Rebound Ace as the official court surface for this summer's Australian circuit.
   
Australia's former world number one Lleyton Hewitt was among the most vocal critics of the Rebound Ace hardcourt surface.