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Sharapova to defend Pan Pacific Open title

TOKYO: Russian star Maria Sharapova will return to Tokyo next January to defend the $1.3 million Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament, organisers said on Thursday.

The 18-year-old Russian, who stunned the tennis world with her maiden Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon a year ago, expressed her intention to compete in the January 31-February 5 tournament. “To all Japanese fans, many thanks for your great support in the Pan Pacific Open 2005. I’m looking forward to coming back to the Pan Pacific Open 2006 as a defending champion,” Sharapova said in a written message to the organisers.

Tokyo is a good hunting ground for Sharapova, who captured her first WTA singles and doubles titles at the Japan Open in October 2003 and defended it last year. She went on to win the “Tier I” event here one of the 10 biggest tournaments other than the four Grand Slams and the season-ending championship by beating American world number one Lindsay Davenport in the final. Tournament director Toshio Noji said: “Previously in this tournament, the champion eventually became the world number one at the end of each year. Hopefully, Sharapova will come back to Tokyo as the new world number one.” The organisers also said that Japan’s Shiho Hisamatsu picked up a wild card by winning the All Japan indoor championships in March. afp

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