Sharapova, TV celeb to team up in exhibition

Maria Sharapova of Russia, the world No. 2 female tennis player, will play alongside a popular Korean TV personality Lee Hui-jae for a mixed doubles match in Seoul on Friday.

Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will square off in an exhibition match in Jamsil Indoor Gymansium on the same day.

After the singles match, they will have a mixed doubles focused on entertainment rather than competitive play.

Lee Jin-soo, the head of JS Management, the organizer of the Seoul exhibition, said that Lee will play with Sharapova in a mixed doubles match against Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy is the No. 1-ranked male golfer and the 2012 PGA Tour player of the year. Wozniacki is dating McIlroy.

Lee enjoys playing tennis and he will be Sharapova’s mixed doubles partner and they will put on a good show and entertain the crowd, the chief organizer said.

The exhibition will be aired live by KBS N Sports and rebroadcast by KBS TV.

The two female players will also hold an autograph session and a clinic for amateur players.

Tickets to the match are on sale, with prices ranging from 55,000 won to 200,000 won ($51 to $185), according to organizers.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)