Sharapova & Halep win opening matches at WTA Finals

Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep have won their opening their Red Group matches as the WTA Finals get underway in Singapore.

In just 72 minutes, top seed and world number two Halep cruised to victory after defeating US Open champion Flavia Pennetta, 6-0 6-3.

Sharapova then saw off competition from Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 4-6 6-3 6-4.

One notable absentee from the season ending tournament is World number one Serena Williams who isn't taking part as she recovers from a knee injury.

The eight-player season finale beings with two round-robin groups, the top two from each qualifying for the semis.

The White Group contains Spain's Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova and Angelique Kerber.

Halep took control of her Red Group after reeling off the first seven games on her to defeating Pennetta.

"I didn't play the right game against her at the US Open," Pennetta said. "Here I was well prepared and I knew how to play against her."

Following her win Sharapova said: "One match down, I still have a few to go but it's great to get a win against such a tough competitor as Radwanska, we always have such difficult matches.

"To be able come out here, fight until the end and win it means a lot to me."