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Published on August 3, 2007

Maria Sharapova made a formidable start to the summer hardcourt season, the US Open champion crushing Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1 6-3 in the second round of the San Diego Classic on Wednesday.

The Florida-based Russian world No 2 launched her title defence with apparent ease as she returned to competition for the first time since falling in the fourth round at Wimbledon to eventual champion Venus Williams.

"I feel good, I did all the right things," Sharapova said. "I'm moving well. But you never know how you are until you play a match. Things are going well.

The two-time grand slam champion showed no sign of discomfort from the lingering shoulder worry which required a pain-killing injection in the spring.

"My shoulder doesn't hurt - but I'm not at 100 per cent either, But I've been talking about it for so long that I feel I'm repeating myself.

"I just want to go out and play tennis," she said. "It's not getting worse and I know it will eventually get better."

Sharapova skipped Russia's Fed Cup tie last month against the United States amid harsh home criticism, saying she needed to rest her injury.

The 20-year-old, who lifted the 2006 title here without the loss of a set, beating Kim Clijsters in the final, made a perfect start to her defence and led a string of Russians into the third round.

Three other seeded Russians and world No 42 Maria Kirilenko all advanced in straight sets.

Third seed Anna Chakvetadze extended her summer win streak to 10 matches, crushing Meghann Shaughnessy 6-4 6-4.

Kirilenko upset Czech 16th seed Lucie Safarova 6-4 7-6 (7/3).

Twins vow to win gold

nThe Ratiwatana brothers made a first-round exit in the US$100,000 Odlum Brown Vancouver Open on Wednesday but vowed they will bounce back by winning the gold at the World University Games.

The fourth-seeded Sonchat and Sanchai, fresh from claiming their fourth challenger trophy this season in Granby, were in for a rude shock when Americans Phillip Simmonds and Brian Wilson downed them 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

"They were serving very well. We had so many break points but couldn't convert them. They played much better today than they usually do," said Sanchai, who returns to Bangkok today to prepare for the Universiade.

"The loss has not shaken our confidence at all. There is not much difference in ours and their rankings. In a way, the defeat is a blessing. We have more time and we can go home and train for the Games. We hope to win a gold," Sanchai said.

In Jakarta, Kirati Siributwong extended his run in the US$10,000 Bakrie Men's Futures 1, ousting China's Gao Wan 6-4 6-2 in the second round yesterday.

The unfancied Kirati, who reached his only other quarter-final in Bangkok last year, had managed to win only two matches in the main draw before his trip to Indonesia. But luck began to change for the Thai as he upset fourth-seeded Kim Cheong-Eui of South Korea 6-3 6-4 in round one.

"I work hard and understand tennis better nowadays. I have faith in myself that I can be a good player," said the 20-year-old from Chon Buri. He will play either Lee Seung-hoon of South Korea or sixth-seeded Elbert Sie of Indonesia today.

"Lee is a good player and used to beat Paradorn before. Elbert is also good and will have support from the local fans. Either of them will be tough."

His younger brother Peerakit Siribut-wong lost to Taiwanese eighth-seed Yang Tsung-hua 6-4 6-3 while Weerapat Doakmaiklee also exited, losing to third-seeded Sadik Kadir of Australia 6-4 6-2.

The Nation, Agencies

CARLSBAD, California