Maria improved to 2-0 with a 6-4 7-5 victory against compatriot Vera Zvonareva. With this win, and still one match to go, Maria is trough to the semi finals.



After gaining an early break in the match, Sharapova easily held on to take the first set. Zvonareva, who had already fallen twice at this event, refused to cave in though, holding off a couple of breaks in the second set to get back on serve.



With a 5-4 lead in the second, Zvonareva had two set points on Sharapova's ...

Maria had no problems in her debut in the WTA Championships in Los Angeles, beating fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-4.


"I love it here. The atmosphere is great," said Maria, making her debut in the tournament. "To be here where the Lakers play, you just feel that excitement. I love basketball."


Sharapova had never beaten Kuznetsova in three previous meetings, including a 6-2, 6-2 semifinal loss in Beijing in September.



"In Beijing, she was coming off such ...

Teen queen Maria Sharapova has complained that the official WTA Tour balls are too heavy and caused her recent chest and shoulder injuries.


Due to her discomfort, the 17-year-old Russian asked the Tour not to use its official Tretorn edition balls at this week's season-ending WTA Championships, but her request fell on deaf ears.


"They are heavy on my arm," Maria said on Tuesday, two days ahead of her opening match at the eight-women round robin event against compatriot Vera Zvo...