Sharapova beats Halep, improves to 2-0 at WTA Finals

SINGAPORE — Maria Sharapova won her second straight match since her return from injury, beating top-seeded Simona Halep 6-4, 6-4 Tuesday at the WTA Tour finals.

The Russian's two wins this week are her only victories since a leg injury sidelined her after losing to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon semifinals.

She retired with a left wrist injury in her first match back at the Wuhan Open in China last month.

"I think I'm quite pleased to be able to beat the No. 2 player in the world," Sharapova said. "I think it was, again, a very physical match. I found myself on the defense many times and was able to win a lot of the long points."

Sharapova led 5-1 in the second set but Halep won three straight games to get back into it. The fourth-seeded Sharapova then broke in the 10th game to win and leave Halep with a 1-1 record.

"I did everything I could. I was fighting until the end," Halep said. "Again, same story: I was close but I couldn't win. But I will work. Now I'm more motivated that I have to learn things to beat her."

Sharapova's victory kept Agnieszka Radwanska in the tournament despite her 7-6 (5) 6-4 loss to U.S. Open champion Flavia Pennetta earlier Tuesday.

Radwanska is 0-2 while Pennetta, who will retire after this event, is 1-1.

Sharapova will face Pennetta on Thursday. They have played five times with the Italian winning the last three, most recently in Indian Wells, California, in March.

"I've been in very different scenarios in the many times that I've played in the championships," Sharapova said. "I just think at this time, since I'm really not focused on further down the line, if I can get through those three matches healthy, strong, competing, that's the best I can ask from myself."

Halep will take on Radwanska in the other match.