Battle for supremacy begins in Madrid – Tennis News
Stage is set for top tennis stars to hit the clay courts of Madrid and it can be more than just any other tournament for some contenders. The reigning world number two, Maria Sharapova, has a vital opportunity to claim the world
number one throne from the American powerhouse, Serena Williams, at Mutua Madrid Open next week. The Russian blonde just have to win the tournament for reclaiming the top position in WTA Premier Rankings.
Sharapova has just won a clay court event, Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, in Stuttgart, Germany, last week and is highly bidding for the upcoming Premier Mandatory event in the capital city of Spain. The Russian diva is less a thousand
ranking points behind Williams and a title victory in Madrid can surely propel her to the number one position. However, she has to overcome the best of the lot to before claiming glory. Williams is leading the field in Madrid and is considered to be the hot
favourite for winning the title as well. With a clay-court trophy in her bag just a week ago, Sharapova has equal chances of upsetting the odds and becoming the new world number one.
On the other hand, tennis fans’ anxiety to see the belligerent Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka, back in action will be over next week. The former world number one has also arrived in Madrid and is willing to make an impactful return
from her injury lay off. She took off the 2013 WTA season as the world number one player but niggling injuries has slipped her to the third spot. Azarenka has already won two WTA titles this year, including the all-prestigious Australian Open Grand Slam tournament.
If she manages to win the Madrid title and Sharapova suffers an early exit at the tournament, the Belarusian diva might reclaim the world number two rank.
"I feel good," Azarenka said in her pre-tournament press conference. "I'm really glad to be back playing, and can't wait to start the tournament and see where my game is at. It's a very good place to start. It's a very competitive
field right away, so I'm glad to be a part of it. It's a great preparation for the French Open."
Other top-tenners in the tournament draw include Agnieszka Radwanska, Li Na, Angelique Kerber, Sara Errani and Petra Kvitova. It will be a real treat to watch all these top class tennis professionals in action just before the Roland
Garros.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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