Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova crushed Mashona Washington in straight sets to successfully defend her Japan Open tennis title here on Saturday.

The 17-year-old Russian starlet, who captured her first career WTA singles and doubles titles a year ago in Tokyo, retained the women's crown with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over the outclassed American.

"I feel very good. There is nothing else I can say," said Sharapova.

"I am so happy that I could defend my title in Tokyo. I played some really great tennis this week. I really showed my fans that I am the Wimbledon champion. It's just a great feeling to win here."

Coming into the final, Sharapova had a 2-1 win-loss record against Washington, all in three sets with the latest loss at New Haven in August.

But once the final started, Sharapova showed the difference between world number 10 and 61.

Sharapova dropped only one point on her serve in the first set, while Washington managed only one winner with an ace on her serve and was dependent on an error from Sharapova to give her a point.

Leading 4-0 in the second set, Sharapova seemed to lose her concentration hitting two double faults and had to save one break point in the fifth game before taking a commanding 5-0 lead.

And when Washington finally managed to keep her serve in the six, thanks to Sharapova's four errors, she stuck her arms into the air in triumph -- only to see Sharapova calmly serve out for the title two

minutes later.

It was Sharapova's second straight victory in two weeks, following her debut victory in Seoul, and sixth title overall.

After her Japan victory last year, Sharapova collected titles at Quebec City and Birmingham

before beating former world number one Serena Williams to take Wimbledon.

Sharapova, who received the winner's check of 8,000 dollars, also won her first professional title in the ITF Circuit series in Gunma, north of Tokyo, two years ago.