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.
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.
(China Daily via AFP July 31, 2007)