Sharapova swept aside fellow Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 6-3 on Friday while Davenport trounced Czech Iveta Benesova 6-1 6-2 to move closer to a record fifth title at the 1.3 million dollar tournament.

But there was disappointment for Elena Dementieva as the Russian was upset by Japan's Shinobu Asagoe 6-3, 6-4 after suffering a freak hand injury.

Second seed Sharapova, beaten by Serena Williams in the Australian Open semifinals last week, was never seriously tested in a one-sided match on Tokyo's indoor carpet.

The 17-year-old repeatedly punished Likhovtseva's weak serve and closed out the match with a ferocious backhand pass after 64 minutes.

"I put extra pressure on her second serve and I was in control on most points," said Sharapova, who squandered three match points in her 2-6, 7-5, 8-6 defeat by Williams in Melbourne.

"I felt I could break her any time. I know people are hungry to beat me after I won Wimbledon but I love beating them too."

Pan Pacific title holder Davenport is also trying to get the Australian Open out of her system after losing to Williams in the final last weekend.