Sharapova storms to Japan Open title
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-09 20:33

Top seed Maria Sharapova defended her AIG Japan Open title by overpowering unseeded American Mashona Washington 6-0 6-1 in Saturday's final.

The 17-year-old Wimbledon champion dropped only one point on her own serve in the first set while breaking Washington three times.

In the men's semi-finals, top seed Lleyton Hewitt was upset in a typhoon-interrupted match by fifth seed Jiri Novak, 6-4 4-6 6-2.

Novak will face seventh seed Taylor Dent of the United States in the final. Dent disposed of unseeded Czech Bohdan Ulihrach 4-6 6-4 6-1.

With the roof of Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum closed due the high winds, Sharaopva blew away her opponent with big serves and pinpoint groundstrokes while chasing down every ball and making the minimum of errors.

"I had fun out there,"' said the Russian, ranked eighth in the world and who claimed her sixth WTA title. "Last year was my first final so it was normal to be a little nervous.

"But I've been in finals now and I know I have to be extra tough."

The 28-year-old Washington had beaten the Russian in three sets in their last meeting at New Haven in August.

But, in her first WTA final, she was broken in her first five service games and lost in 50 minutes.

"She doesn't have any `Oh my God!' shots, but she is a solid all-round player," Washington said. "She was playing so well today, she didn't give me any opportunities to get into the match."

Sharapova said her aim for the rest of this season was to qualify for and then win next month's Tour Championships. Her win in Tokyo could move her up to seventh in the world but she faces tough competition for the final Championship places from Venus and Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati.

Hewitt, who won here in 2001, went down fighting in a classy baseline battle that was interrupted for 35 minutes when the typhoon that was raging outside started to cause water to drip on to the court.

The interruption came with Novak a break up in the final set and with a 3-1 lead on Hewitt's serve. After the players returned, with the score at deuce, Novak caught the Australian cold and secured his second break, effectively sealing the match.

"You don't expect rain on an indoor court," Hewitt said. "But as professional athletes you've got to deal with those situations. It was a bit weird, but you've just got to put up with it."

In the other semi-final, Dent and Ulihrach split the first two sets, but the Czech, who had not dropped a set before Saturday, could hold his serve only once in the final set.

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