Singapore: Russian star Maria Sharapova is 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 yesterday. 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.

Source : PTI