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Sports / Tennis
Sharapova makes San Diego title defence return
(AFP)
Updated: 2007-07-31 08:38
CARLSBAD, United States - Defending champion Maria Sharapova makes her
first appearance since Wimbledon at the San Diego Classic this week as
she once again tests her long-standing shoulder injury.
Tennis star Maria Sharapova talks to a reporter during an interview at
the Acura Classic tennis tournament in Carlsbad, California July 30,
2007. [Reuters]
The world number two, who beat Kim Clijsters in the 2006 final to capture
the hardcourt title here, has been dogged by the injury problem since the
spring.
But a pain-killing injection has helped her to the French Open
semi-finals and a Wimbledon fourth-round loss to Venus Williams.
Following the wet fortnight at the All England Club, the 20-year-old
Russian underwent a precautionary scan and controversially pulled out of
Russia's Fed Cup semi-final win over the United States.
Despite failing to win a trophy so far this season, and with her US Open
title defence approaching, Sharapova is unworried.
"I'm 20 years old, I've won two Grand Slams. I've been number one in the
world," she said.
"I've got plenty more years to either win matches or find confidence."
Serb Jelena Jankovic, who won a surprise Wimbledon mixed doubles title
with Jamie Murray, has played just one Fed Cup rubber indoors since the
All England Club.
She will get back on cement for the first time since March in Miami.
Along with the other eight leading seeds, she has a first-round bye at
what will be the last edition of an event which has fallen victim to the
WTA calendar shake-up.
Russians hold half of the top eight seedings, with Anna Chakvetadze at
three, Nadia Petrova fourth and Dinara Safina eighth.
Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France will try to put behind last
week's opening-match disappointment at Stanford when she lost to Lilia
Osterloh.
The Frenchwoman has admitted to still being tired and overwhelmed by her
surprise Grand Slam performance this month.
Slovak Daniela Hantuchova takes the sixth seeding with Martina Hingis at
seven and playing for the first time since a back injury which hampered
her Wimbledon.
Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, who will represent her family after
sister Serena withdrew with her thumb injury, last played the event in
2002 when she lifted the title with a win over Jelena Dokic.
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