Chinese tennis moves into a new bracket of competitiveness and the world's number one ranked female tennis player, Maria Sharapova is taking notice

The improvement of the Chinese players over the last year has been impressive...with events like the China Open, there certainly seems to be a jump in the general level of interest in China

The list of names is impressive. Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Lindsay Davenport, number one ranked Maria Sharapova, Carlos Moya, China's top female players Zheng Jie, Li Na, and rising star Peng Shuai casually mix together on the roster. Each player in his or her own unique right is at the top of their performance and are all looking to earn an honor only one year old: victory at the 2005 China Open.

"We've got some of the world's best players competing in an explosive market for the sport of tennis. It's very cool," says Gavin Forbes the managing director of tennis for IMG, the events management group, Tom Group, recruited to help manage the China Open. The China open got off to an ambitious start last year and is the first major Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and ATP, the governing body of men's professional tennis, tournament following the US Open. It's also where the princess of tennis, Maria Sharapova, looks to shine after her recent climb to number one in the WTA. Having just wrestled away the number one spot from her long-term rival, Lindsay Davenport, Sharapova can now earn a place in the pantheon of athletes whose form, physique and beauty matches that of their game. And she's starting early. At 18, Sharapova is one of the youngest and the first female Russian tennis players to take the top seed. City Weekend caught up with Sharapova before Russian President Vladimir Putin could.

CW: Chinese tennis players have been making strong progress in female tennis rankings. Do you expect dangerous challenges from any of the Chinese ranked players at the China Open?

Sharapova: The Chinese players are playing really well at the moment. Peng just beat Kim Clijsters a few weeks ago and that says it all. On the Tour, you cannot afford to have a bad day in the office if you want to win tournaments.

CW: Both off and on the court, are there any differences between playing tennis professionally in China?

Sharapova: When you are on the court, it does not matter where your opponent comes from. What matters is that you play your best and do your best and that you hopefully win the last point in every match.

CW: What stands out about the China Open compared to other Asian tournaments?

Sharapova: China is such a high profile country at the moment in all respects. I have been coming to Asia for many years and my dad and I really enjoy Asia. China is such an important part of Asia and with the Olympics in 2008, I am happy to be able to return here for the second year of the China Open.

CW: How long, if at all, do you expect Chinese players to move from hard court to clay or grass?

Sharapova: The improvement of the Chinese players over the last year has been impressive. I am not sure how many grass and clay courts exist in China, but with events like the China Open, there certainly seems to be a jump in the general level of interest in China.

CW: Any unfinished business at this year's China Open?

Sharapova: I reached the semi-finals last year and I would of course love to win the title this year. I will try my best.

See Maria Sharapova at the China Open in Beijing this September 20-26th. For a chance to win free tickets, look inside the CW Entertainment Guide (Beijing only). www.chinaopen.com

Matches Not to Miss

Maria Sharapova & Lindsay Davenport
Sharapova recently edged out her long time rival Davenport from the number one spot. She's the best in the world. The two will face each other for the first time since the WTA rankings were released.

Peng Shuai & Li Na
These two female Chinese players have been making headlines as far back as Li's victory in Athens to Shuai's defeat of top ranked Kim Clijsters in the San Diego, USA last month. Now on their home court, they are expected to make a strong showing.

Serena Williams vs. Anyone
Last year's China Open winner, Williams, is a dominating force in tennis. She looks to preserve her reign in China with her devastating power and athleticism. Don't miss it.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal
The cool and seemingly invincible number one ranked Federer will face the presence of the Spanish sensation, Rafael Nadal. Men's tennis at its best.

At the time of print, the dates and times of the above matches were unavailable. Visit www.chinaopen.com or www.cityweekend.com.cn for the exact listings.