Two-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova crushed rising star Ana Ivanovic in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 on Friday to win the 2007 Sony Ericsson Championships red group.
Although both women already secured a berth in Saturday’s semifinal round, Sharapova and Ivanovic were contesting the title of champion in the red group.
Sharapova will now avoid a meeting with world number one Justine Henin until potentially Sunday’s final. Ivanovic will play Henin, with Sharapova set to face her countrywoman Anna Chakvetadze.
2007 Pacific Life Open champion Daniela Hantuchova won her first match today at the season-ending Championships. Hantuchova, who also won October’s Generali Ladies Linz in 2007, defeated world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6(7), 6-0.
