Sharapova goes to No. 1 despite loss

Maria Sharapova returned to No. 1 in the rankings Monday, and intends to stay there awhile. The Russian overtook Belgium's Justin Henin-Hardenne in the rankings despite a 6-1, 6-2 loss to Serena Williams in Saturday's final of the Australian Open. Sharapova is playing this week in the $1.3 million Pan Pacific Open, a tournament she won in 2005.

Sharapova spent seven nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in her career between August and October in 2005.

Her performance in Grand Slams last year helped raise her ranking from No. 4 at the start of 2006 to No. 2 at the end, including semifinals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, the fourth round at the French Open and her win in the U.S. Open.

Sharapova, who turns 20 in April, started this year in Hong Kong, where she lost to Kim Clijsters in the final of an exhibition tournament.

In Japan, Sharapova will be joined by Martina Hingis and defending champion Elena Dementieva. In last year's final, Dementieva defeated Hingis 6-2, 6-0 after Hingis upset Sharapova in the semifinals.

"Martina took me out last year," Sharapova said. "Hopefully I can get some revenge this year in the final."

Singles play begins Tuesday at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Sharapova has a first-round bye and won't play until Wednesday