Henin & Sharapova begin with wins

Henin was not playing her best game, but it was good enough

Justin Henin began her Sony Ericcson Championship defence with a 7-1 7-6 (7-4) win against Anna Chakvetadze.
The world number one eased through the first set in Madrid, but her Russian opponent fought back in the second only to gift the tiebreak to Henin.

Maria Sharapova also had to work hard in the second set against Daniela Hantuchova before winning 6-4 7-5.

The WTA's season-finale features the world's top eight players, initially in a two-group round robin format.

Henin and Chakvetadze are the yellow group, along with Australian Open winner Serena Williams and world number three Jelena Jankovic.

The red group features 2004 champion Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic and Hantuchova. The top two from each advance to the semi-finals.

French and US Open champion Henin, 25, chasing her 10th title of 2007, said: "It's good to win the first match especially in a round robin - it gives me a lot of confidence."

Chakvetadze, 20, playing in the event for the first time, said: "I was very disappointed with the first set. I was so sleepy, I didn't move well, didn't serve well. It was horrible."

Sharapova's season has been decimated by injuries, including an ongoing shoulder problem, and she has played only twice in the last two months, losing both matches.

She looked looked sharp against Hantuchova but failed to take four match points in the second set and was broken for 5-5 before pulling through against the Slovak.

"I wasn't thinking about the shoulder, that's the main thing," said Sharapova after sealing victory.

"The doctors said it can't get any worse by playing so I have to go out there not thinking it's going to hurt.

"I'm not surprised by this performance because I know I am capable of great tennis. If I am not thinking about the injury - I am here to compete."