Good Start for Maria

Maria Sharapova Wins in Singapore

Maria played and won her exhibition against Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in Singapore today. Maria won 6-0 7-6 (12-10). Maria took the 1st set 6-0 in 26 minutes overwhelming Chakvetadze with some blistering first serves and clean winners from the baseline Chakvetadze took a 5-2 lead in the 2nd set but Maria came fighting back to take 4 of the next 5 games to force a tie-break. Maria took it 12-10. After the match Maria was very pleased with her performance and said: "I think I did a pretty good job." Maria will now head to Hong Kong and will play her 1st match on Wednesday against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

Hong Kong Press Conference

Maria took part in a press conference today at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong, here are some of the interesting things she talked about:

Playing Hong Kong:
"It has worked well for me over the last few years. I don't like playing a tournament a week before a grand slam. I like to get to Melbourne and get a good weeks training. This is the best preparation I can get. You are guaranteed a few matches against the top players, which is better than just training.

Training
"I have had a really good five or six weeks of training and I am really looking forward to the new season Last year was probably the biggest learning curve for me on and off the court."

2008:
"It is everyone's goal to become number one. Everyone has the chance to do that but its more important to win every match you play and give everything you have every time. I don't worry about it too much really. I don't like to put too many goals on myself. I just look forward to winning the tough matches and becoming number one and winning grand slams."