Tennis ace Sharapova back to her best

Maria Sharapova issued a warning that she is ready to challenge for Justine Henin's title by scoring her third and most impressive win out of three at the season-ending WTA Championships here Friday.

The former world number one from Russia overwhelmed Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-2 with such an impressive display of driving from both wings that it was hard to believe she had spent the best part of two months on the sidelines.

Maria also served more than adequately - this had been the part of her game leading to the long-term shoulder problems which sidelined her - and there were times when she completely dominated the fourth seeded Serbian who had won both their previous two encounters.

Sharapova's triumph means she finishes top of her Red group, a significant achievement because, although already certain of a place in Saturday's semi-final line-up, she now avoids having to face the superbly in-form Henin before the final.

Instead Sharapova has a semi-final with the surprise survivor, Anna Chakvetadze, her compatriot, and that must have been partly in her thinking. She would not however admit it.

"I'm not really thinking about my chances," Sharapova claimed. "I know I can be capable on the court. I don't have to worry about who I play. If I play well I will be fine."

She did however agree that she played extremely well. Most of all Sharapova seemed to have benefited from her weeks off during which, though her shoulder prevented her from serving, she was still able to hit plenty of tennis balls.

Her ground strokes have rarely been in better fettle than during a match in which her court coverage and footwork preparation had the freshness of someone who has been away from the ardours of the tour.

Sharapova also hit with accuracy as well as pace down the line - so often the best way to create damage - and even though Ivanovic is one of the hardest hitters in the game she was all too often on the defensive.

"I thought it was solid from the beginning. I was just glad I could be out here and play as many matches as I can this year," Sharapova said.

"I am giving my all and I really wanted to win this match. I don't like losing twice in a row to the same player."

Also notable was Sharapova's blinkered concentration, so often a conspicuous part of her on-court persona. Asked by compere Pam Shriver whether she had "noticed how cute the ball boys are" (the tournament is using male models) Sharapova asked for the question to be repeated.

At the second attempt she came up with the reply: "No - I tried to look at the yellow tennis ball. I tried not to look a them. But maybe after the tournament."