For the first time, Maria Sharapova will begin her Brisbane International campaign as the tournament’s favourite and with a fifth grand slam singles title to her name since last year’s event, she has reason to believe she can live up to the favouritism.
The Russian is surprised to have dodged arch-nemesis Serena Williams at this year’s event, but she isn’t complaining.
Despite Williams struggling to maintain her lofty standards early in 2014 as she failed in the opening three grand slam events, Sharapova believes the peerless American remains as tough as ever.
Some may think Williams is becoming vulnerable at age 33 but all the world No.2 could think of was her rival’s 22-2 match record since Wimbledon.
“You can’t say someone is on the edge of the cliff when they are No.1 in the world,” Sharapova said. “She still came through and finished the season strong.
“Even though she’s 33 years old she’s still very strong and very powerful and has so much experience and that shows when she plays on court.”
Sharapova picked up her fifth grand slam title last year at Roland Garros where Williams was bundled out in the second round before going just one round further into the draw at Wimbledon.
But even during Williams’ early-season slump she continued her stranglehold over the Russian in Miami.
With Williams choosing to play Hopman Cup this week, Sharapova is free of her tormentor in a Brisbane tournament featuring eight top-20 women plus unseeded pair Sam Stosur and Victoria Azarenka.
She fell in straight sets to the American in last year’s semifinal before Williams went on to defend her title against Azarenka.
But Sharapova isn’t expecting an easy time without Williams, the Russian likely to face big-serving German Sabine Lisicki in the second round and world No.9 Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals.
You can catch Maria Sharapova in action at the 2015 Brisbane International presented by Suncorp and supported by Tourism and Events Queensland. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek.
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