SPORTS

Sharapova wins Korea Open

By Peter Rutherford
October 03, 2004 17:19 IST

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova trounced Marta Domachowska 6-1, 6-1 to win the Korea Open on Sunday.

Grunting and grimacing to victory, Sharapova had too much firepower for Poland's Domachowska, who held her serve only once in the 58-minute match.

Sharapova took command in the third game after the two players had traded opening service breaks.

Pinning Domachowska to the baseline with a series of stinging service returns, Sharapova kept up the pressure until the 18-year-old Pole wilted, double-faulting to hand the Russian a 3-1 lead.

Sharapova never looked like losing it, closing out the set and looking stronger with every point.

"This is the first time playing three tournaments in a row, but I feel really good," said Sharapova.

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Sharapova lost in the semi-finals
of the China Open to compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova just over a week ago and will play in the Japan Open later this week.

"I think I played well this week. Hopefully I'll take that on to next week, play better and win there," said Sharapova.

Sharapova said that the win was even more special because she had had to adapt quickly to different opponent styles, slower court speeds and unpredictable weather conditions.

Sharapova played a chilly quarter-final match after a four-hour rain delay on Friday evening before beating Anne Kremer on a sun-drenched centre court in Saturday's semi-final.

"As I get older, I'll have to learn to make the adjustments to different tournaments, different conditions," said the 17-year-old. "To compete with the top 10 players, there are a lot of things I have to improve on."
Peter Rutherford
Source: REUTERS
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