Maria Sharapova strengthened her Australian Open hopes with a convincing win over Caroline Wozniacki at the Hong Kong Tennis Classic.
Russian prevails over world number four in Hong Kong
Russian Maria Sharapova strengthened her Australian Open hopes with a convincing straight-sets win over Caroline Wozniacki at the Hong Kong Tennis Classic.
The 22-year-old, competing in her final match before the first grand slam of the year in Melbourne, bounced back from two breaks down in the opening set to claim a 7-5 6-3 triumph over the world number four in 95 minutes.
World number 14 Sharapova was unable to defend her Australian Open crown after being sidelined for nine months until May last year following shoulder surgery, and consequently experienced a rapid slide down the world rankings.
However, the three-time grand slam winner beat Venus Williams in Thailand last week before edging a three-sets win over Zheng Jie of China in Hong Kong to underline her Australian Open credentials.
"I have had three great matches against three different types of players," said Sharapova.
"It was a little up and down today, but overall it is definitely good to have these wins behind me."
Bright start
Wozniacki made a bright start after racing into a 5-3 lead, but the 19-year-old failed to serve out the opening stanza and Sharapova secured an engaging set with three successive breaks.
The Russian then established a 4-1 advantage in the second set and although Wozniacki responded with a break of her own, the Dane was again unable to hold her serve and Sharapova wrapped up the match after firing 33 winners.
If her comeback continues to gather pace, Sharapova could complete the full grand slam set, with the French Open the only title missing from her collection, but the Russian insists Wimbledon is the tournament that means the most to her.
"Of course, I have the ambition to win Roland Garros but it's not the most important thing for me," Sharapova told Bulgarian website
www.sportal.bg.
"It's Wimbledon that is something special and it's the Wimbledon titles that are the most precious to me.
"There's no better feeling than winning the Wimbledon. It was my first grand slam and I did it at such a special place."
