Sharapova cruises to straight sets win in Hong Kong

HONG KONG—Russian superstar Maria Sharapova overpowered the young Dane Caroline Wozniacki in Hong Kong Wednesday, only just breaking a sweat in chilly conditions for a straight sets victory.
The world number five brushed away plucky resistance from her 17-year-old opponent for a 6-2, 6-2 victory in the opening game of the JB Group Classic.
Wozniacki, ranked 60 in the world, was simply overwhelmed by the double grand slam winner’s power tennis, as Sharapova turned on her top game whenever she was under any pressure.
The 20-year-old said an injury-free close season had provided a real boost ahead of this month’s Australian Open. “I have had one of the best off seasons that I have probably had in my career,” said the Russian, who was playing her second game of the season.
“I was able to hit some good shots and to serve my way out of trouble,” she added to reporters. In the 38-minute first set, Wozniacki showed glimpses of the promise that led her to the junior Wimbledon crown in 2006, but was never able to gain any momentum on Sharapova’s serve, and her few break points slipped away.
Sharapova’s strong forehand dominated the match. She used it to good effect, often running round her backhand to smash powerful drives back to her much smaller opponent. “I have had one of the best off seasons that I have probably had in my career,” said the Russian, who was playing her second game of the season.
The former Wimbledon and US Open champion finished the game off in one hour 21 minutes. She will now face either compatriot Anna Chakvetadze or Slovakian world number nine Daniela Hantuchova in the semi-finals.
The annual Hong Kong invitational tournament has this year attracted five of the world’s top 10 players, including American Venus Williams, who is due to open her challenge Thursday.—Agencies