Maria qualifies for WTA championships

U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova has joined Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo in qualifying for the season-ending WTA championships in Madrid, tennis officials said on Monday.

The Russian former world number one, who has won WTA tour titles in San Diego and Indian Wells this year, is in third place in the WTA Tour champions race with 2,727 points.

Belgian Henin-Hardenne, beaten by Sharapova in Saturday's U.S. Open final, leads the standings on 3,473 points with Frenchwoman Mauresmo second on 2,735.

Sharapova, who has 13 career singles titles, has had a good season, reaching the semi-finals or better at nine of 10 events leading up to the U.S. Open.

In the season-ending championships, which run from November 7-12, the top eight singles players and top four doubles teams will compete for a share of a prize purse worth $3 million.

"Maria's impressive win at the U.S. Open is a defining moment for her as a player and if she keeps this level I am sure she will be battling for the title come the final weekend in Madrid," said championships director Manolo Santana.