Maria Sharapova back in Melbourne
MARIA Sharapova breezed into Melbourne with the shoulder injury that derailed her title defence last year well and truly behind her.
Fresh from morale-boosting victories over Venus Williams, China’s Zheng Jie and Caroline Wozniacki in a Hong Kong exhibition tournament, she showed that all her natural attributes are back with a vengeance.
The booming serves and sweetly timed ground strokes were all too evident as Sharapova practised in the Rod Laver Arena before the Australian Open, that starts on Monday. And she was grateful for the chance to hit shots in anger that the Hong kong event had given her.
She said: “I have had three great matches against three different types of opponents. It was such a great field and such a good test for the Australian Open. Whether I have a good feeling or not, you never know the future.” Only a year ago, Sharapova was not even in Melbourne after she withdrew from defending it as her shoulder had not healed.
Fast forward 12 months and she is one of the favourites. and the sponsors are flocking back too, with Tiffany persuading her to wear their earrings for the duration of the tournament. Not too much of a burden to shoulder...