Sharapova looks good for title

Maria Sharapova gave further indications on Thursday that she is close to being back to her best after an injury-blighted 2009 as she stormed into the third round of the US Open.

The 23-year-old Russian glamour girl powered past Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2, sending out a warning that she is capable of winning for a second time at Flushing Meadows, four years after her first title.

"Last year here, the position I was in, I was trying to see where my game was, so it's nice to be back on the court and not having to worry about anything other than trying to win," she said.

The win sets her up nicely for a possible showdown with top seed and runner-up here last year, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, in the fourth round. First though, she must overcome 18-year-old American wildcard Beatrice Capra in Saturday's third round.
Wozniaci powered her way into the third round by handing out a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing to Taiwan's Chang Kai-Chen.

Wozniacki will play another Taiwanese player, Chan Yung-Jan, for a place in the fourth round and a possible match against Sharapova.

Also through to the third round in early play Thursday was Russian seventh seed Vera Zvonareva, who eased past Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-1, 7-6 (7/5), and semi-finalist here last year Yanina

Wickmayer of Belgium, who beat Julia Gorges of Germany 6-4, 7-5.