Monday, Dec. 31, 2007

SINGAPORE (AP) Maria Sharapova praised the WTA Tour on Saturday for taking the necessary precautions to remain clean, while the men's game is hurt by allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting.

Maria Sharapova, shown during her match with Ai Sugiyama at Wimbledon on June, 30, contends that there is no gambling problems in women's tennis. AP PHOTO

Sharapova said WTA Tour chief executive and chairman Larry Scott "is doing all the things possible, from having meetings throughout the year to encouraging players to be safe and smart about their choices.

"Unfortunately we have to be realistic about the fact that some of these things do go on . . . but at the end of the day, I believe that women's tennis is doing a great job of being clean," Sharapova said on the eve of her exhibition match against Anna Chakvetadze.

Concerns about match-fixing in men's tennis have risen since August, when an online betting company reported unusual betting patterns during a match between fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina.

Since then, several players have said they were approached with offers to fix matches for money.

Sharapova also praised the new surface for matches at the Australian Open. Firmer Plexicushion has replaced the Rebound Ace court surface at Melbourne Park.

"Especially in extreme heat, the court gets very sticky and a lot of injuries can occur," Sharapova said.

"So I'm very excited about it and it will be good to have a good week of practice before to get used to it."

Organizers expect the new surface will produce a lower ball bounce and retain less heat.

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) Lleyton Hewitt's tennis career has come nearly full circle as he prepares to play in his hometown tournament for the last time.

Hewitt won the Australian men's hardcourt title in Adelaide 10 years ago as a 16-year-old wild card for his first professional tournament win.

Since then, he's won two Grand Slams — the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002 — and held the No. 1 ranking for 75 consecutive weeks from Nov. 19, 2001.

Now ranked No. 21 and attempting to work his way back into the top 10, the top-seeded Hewitt will play at Memorial Drive, beginning Monday for the final time.

The Australian men's hardcourt tournament will head north to Brisbane, Queensland state, next year.

"It doesn't feel that long ago," Hewitt said Sunday of his win in 1998.

"It would be great to win again here, it would be a good start.

"I have got to look toward mid-January and the Australian Open, but obviously this would be a fantastic way to kick off January and the start of 2008."

Hewitt faces a tough draw in the 32-man tournament.

He plays Israel's Dudi Sela, ranked No. 64, in the first round and is in the same bracket as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Jose Acasuso, who both defeated Hewitt in their last meetings.

"There is going to be a lot of tough matches throughout the week," he said.

"Maybe you don't have anyone in the top 20 at the moment but you look at the guys throughout . . . I don't think it's going to be easy for anyone."

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