Zheng to face Sharapova in HK Classic opener

HONG KONG: The nation's first Wimbledon semifinalist, Zheng Jie, is looking forward to facing off against former world tennis No 1 Maria Sharapova at the Hong Kong Tennis Classic today.

"It's going to be a tough first match but it's a great way to open the year and the rest of the lineup will definitely be excellent practise before the Australian Open," Jie said at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium.

Arriving a day late due to heavy snowfalls, which brought the nation's capital airport to a standstill for several hours, Jie said the eight-hour delay in flying out of Beijing would not affect her condition because she has been training for seven hours a day over the holidays.