Maria to play exhibition match in Singapore

Maria will make her debut in Singapore next month when she takes on compatriot Anna Chakvetadze in an exhibition match.

Sharapova, who has won two grand slam titles, will play the world number six on December 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, organisers said on Friday.

The 20-year-old was runner-up in the season-ending WTA tour championship in Madrid after making a top-five finish in the tour rankings for the fourth consecutive year.

Last night, Venancio told The New Paper how he managed to convince Sharapova - one of the world's most sought-after athletes at public events - to say 'yes' to Singapore.

'It's very rare to get two top-ranked players together, like Maria and Anna, for a special event like this.

'I believe it'll be Maria's first visit to Singapore, which she knows is sophisticated and known for its shopping and sightseeing.

'Then, there was the question of her opponent. Make no mistake, Sharapova doesn't want to treat this as a plain exhibition match.

The match will be a repeat of this year's Australian Open quarter-finals, when Sharapova beat Chakvetadze in straight sets en-route to the final, where she lost to Serena Williams.

Chakvetadze later reached the semi-finals of this year's U.S. Open in New York.