Tennis latest - Maria Sharapova confirms her participation in Auckland
The 23-year-old Russian tennis sensation, Maria Sharapova has confirmed her participation in the next season’s Auckland Classic Women’s singles competition which is going to be held in January, as told by the organizers of the competition on Wednesday.
The Florida resident who turned professional back in 2001 has so far captured a total of twenty two WTA singles crown, three doubles titles and three Grand Slam trophies in her career. She won the Wimbledon title back in 2004, the United States Open back
in 2006 and the Australian Open back in 2008.
The right handed Russian was also a finalist at the Australian Open in Melbourne back in 2007. Sharapova triumphed in the season ending Sony Ericsson tournament six years ago. The sizzling beauty from Russia has been ranked number one in the WTA tour on
four different occasions in her career. She grabbed the top ranking on the very first occasion back in 2005. Maria is currently ranked number seventeen in the world by the Women Tennis Association.
Richard Palmer who is the director of the Auckland tournament said on Wednesday that the 1.88 meters tall Sharapova would be a green card for the competition as she warms up for the Australian Open later that month.
"It is a major boost to the competition and to the sport, her popularity is huge," added Richard.
The former world number one has struggled to make a comeback from a crippling shoulder injury this season that forced the Russian to adjust her explosive serve, failing to advance into the second week in all four Grand Slam tournaments.
At the year’s final major, the United States Open in New York, Sharapova got the better of Jarmila Groth from Australia in three sets in her opening round clash. The final match score was 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. She next met Iveta Benesova in the next round and clinched
a two-setter victory in the end. The Russian, however, couldn’t win her fourth round clash as she was toppled by the new number one Caroline Wozniacki in two sets. The final score line was 3-6, 4-6.
Sharapova will definitely be looking to return into her top form in Auckland and play some impressive tennis that once took her to the top level on the WTA tour.
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