Top seed Maria Sharapova defended her AIG Japan Open title by overpowering unseeded American Mashona Washington 6-0 6-1 in Saturday's final.

The 17-year-old Russian, improving day-by-day in the tournament, dropped only one point on her own serve in the first set while breaking Washington three times.

With the roof of Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum closed due to an approaching typhoon, the Wimbledon champion blew away her opponent with big serves and pinpoint groundstrokes while chasing down every ball and making the minimum of errors.

"I had fun out there,"' said Sharapova, ranked eighth in the world and who claimed her sixth WTA title. "Last year was my first final so it was normal to be a little nervous.

"But I've been in finals now and I know I have to be extra tough."

The 28-year-old Washington had beaten the Russian in three sets in their last meeting at New Haven in August.

But, in her first WTA final, she was broken in her first five service games and lost in 50 minutes.

"She doesn't have any `Oh my God!' shots, but she is a solid all-round player,'' Washington said. "She was playing so well today, she didn't give me any opportunities to get into the match."

Sharapova said her aim for the rest of this season was to qualify for and then win next month's Tour Championships. Her win in Tokyo could move her up to seventh in the world but she faces tough competition for the final Championship places from Venus and Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati.