Maria Sharapova’s looks and sales pitch are currently sharper than her game.

Sharapova signed her first major endorsement deal with Motorola yesterday, then attempted to paint herself as an ingenue entering Monday’s U.S. Open. The 17-year-old, 6-foot blonde is just 3-3 since winning Wimbledon, a slump that included Tuesday’s three-set loss to Mashona Washington in the Pilot Pen, the Open tune-up in New Haven.

“I don’t have any expectations,” the Russian phenom said regarding the Open. “I don’t have anything to prove to anybody. I play because I love the sport. I want to do great but I’m 17, with so many years ahead. If I don’t win the U.S. Open this year, it won’t be a disaster in my life. I’ll still have a lot of years ahead of me.”

According to a source, her Motorola endorsement is a worldwide deal, for three years at nearly $5 million – a coup for the sport because it’s the first time the company has ever used a tennis player.

Sharapova was already plugging away, admitting she’ll be selective in her future endorsement deals. She’ll be marketing a new international cellular plan. “It’s such an amazing connection with me traveling around the world having a cell phone always in my hand,” Sharapova said. “The relationship is great.”

Sharapova, the No. 8 seed in the Open, will have a big challenge ahead if she hopes to duplicate her Wimbledon feat. Justine Henin-Hardenne, the defending champion, is coming off an Olympic gold medal. Lindsay Davenport has swept unbeaten through the summer hardcourt series. Despite knee ailments, Serena Williams will be a bear, motivated to silence the critics who contend that she’s no longer feared. And Venus Williams can never be discounted.

Sharapova also has a tough draw, with Mary Pierce in the third round and possibly Henin-Hardenne in the quarterfinals.

“I don’t expect Sharapova to do as well here,” Patrick McEnroe said.

But then, Sharapova is not prone to grandiose predictions. “When you win such an amazing tournament, there’s still so many things I have to work on even though I won,” Sharapova said. “I have to improve so many more things. I know these things aren’t going to happen overnight. I can’t be perfect. I can’t win everything.”

Shapraova, in her second full year on the tour, was ousted in the Open’s second round last year and has never even played in Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I’d love to play on it,” she said. “For sure, it’s an amazing stadium, the biggest one [of the Slams]. [Last year’s Open] was a short one. That’s why I’m happy to be back. I love New York. Hopefully this time I get to stay here a lot longer.”