Cup's star power still shining

The 35th annual Family Circle Cup lost a couple of big-name players last week, but the event still has star power.
 
Need proof?
 
Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova would make a great championship match even at a Grand Slam event.
 
This year, Sharapova and Williams could battle each other in a Family Circle Cup semifinal if the players live up to their seeding.
 
Yes, Justine Henin and Venus Williams pulled out of the event with injuries, but there are plenty of the world's top players in town to help the event celebrate its 35th birthday.
 
Defending Family Circle Cup champion Jelena Jankovic is the top seed, while Sharapova is the No. 2 seed. The other members of the Family Circle Cup's Fab Four are No. 3 seed Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Dementieva.
 
Yes, the Russians are coming. Sharapova, Chakvetadze and Dementieva headline a cast of 10 Russians in the year's field.
 
Tournament director Robin Reynolds is pleased with the field, as the main draw begins Monday.
 
'This year's field is that perfect blend of those seasoned players against those up-and-coming players,' she said. 'I think it is an incredibly strong field. I'm thrilled.'
 
Sharapova will make her second appearance in Charleston. She lost in the first round in 2003, her breakout season. She ended ‘02 ranked No. 186 in the world and was No. 32 at the end of ‘03.
 
'When she was here the first time, no one really knew who she was,' Reynolds said. 'Now, she's one of the most recognized women in the world.'
 
Sharapova vs. Williams isn't the only potentially compelling quarterfinal. Jankovic could meet sixth-seeded Marion Bartoli in a semifinal, while fan favorite and seventh-seeded Patty Schnyder could play Dementieva in a semifinal. The other semifinal could be an all-Russian affair: Chakvetadze vs. No. 8 seed Dinara Safina.
 
Safina lost to Jankovic by a 6-2, 6-2 decision in the title match last year on a day that will be remembered for its wind — and tennis.
 
One of the up-and-coming players in the field is Australian Casey Dellacqua, who will make her Family Circle Debut. She had an impressive run at the Australian Open earlier this year with victories over Amelie Mauresmo and Schnyder.
 
The Aussie knows it will be a challenge to play on the clay courts at Charleston.
 
'I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite surfaces,' Dellacqua said. 'Growing up, we never really got out there and played on the clay courts. Last year, I played on a lot of clay courts in Europe. I'm starting to get into the swing of clay.'
 
While the top eight seeds go to the assigned spots on the board, there was some luck of the draw.
 
The first two chips drawn from the singles' trophy were qualifiers, which means two to-be- determined qualifiers will play in the first round, with the winner advancing to play Jankovic in the second round.
 
There are two Polish players in the field, and the luck of the draw paired them in a first-round match: Agnieszka Radwanska will play Marta Domachowska.
 
And there are two Japanese players in the field, and the luck of the draw paired them in a first-round match: Ayumi Morita will play Ai Sugiyama.