TENNIS

Singapore, December 28, 2007 – Maria Sharapova flew into Singapore early this morning for a series of publicity events over the next two days before her exhibition game against Anna Chakvetadze on Sunday , December 30, 8 p.m. at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

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Maria Sharapova of Russia in action during the French Open at Roland Garros in June 2007. (Photo©Ron C Angle Productions/BEImages Sports)

The 20-year-old Maria Sharapova recently finished runner-up in the season ending WTA Tour Championships in Madrid to finish the year as the World Number 5, the fourth year in a row she has ended the year with a top 5 finish.

Propelled into the world's spotlight with her explosive win in the Girl's 16-and-under Eddie Herr Championships at the tender age of 13, Sharapova went on to win her first professional tournament in April 2001, and her first Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tournament soon after in 2002.

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Maria Sharapova is staying at the Fullerton Hotel while in Singapore and gets to enjoy the view of Marina Bay from her room. (Photo courtesy of organisers)

The Russian's steep ascent to becoming to the world's highest earning female athlete was cemented with her momentous first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004 - in what was only her second appearance there as the 13th seed.

Her extensive list of achievements include being the first female player from Russia to ever become world number one at the age of 18, as well as triumphing over first and second seeded Amelie Mauresmo and Justin Henin to take her first US Open title in 2006.

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Maria Sharapova in a publicity picture for one of her sponsors, Tag Heuer. (Photo courtesy Tag Heuer)