Hong Kong: Women's tennis' biggest draw, world number two Maria Sharapova, is expected to have an easy run in the opening round of a Hong Kong invitational after being drawn against Chinese doubles star Yan Zi, organisers announced Tuesday.

If she wins, she will play the winner of a tough fight between Czech Nicole Vaidizova, ranked 10th, and world number eight Russian Elena Dementieva in the four day event beginning January 3 next year.

In the other qualifying matches, world number five Kim Clijsters of Belgium will face China's Zheng Jie, and American Lindsay Davenport will take on fourth ranked Russian Svetlana Kutzezova.

The friendly tournament is considered an important part of players build up to the Australian Open, which begins on January 15.