Memphis Preview

Three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is in Memphis for the second time in her career. A semifinalist in her only previous appearance, she has her eye on the Cellular South Cup.

After a phenomenal comeback to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour last year, returning after a nine-month shoulder injury lay-off and going 31-9 the rest of the year, Sharapova had a surprisingly early exit in her first tournament of 2010, falling first round at the Australian Open. But the 22-year-old Russian has always brought out her fiercest form on the rebound; she will begin her title quest against Shenay Perry in the first round of the International event.

Melanie Oudin had some tough losses to start the year as well but is already beginning to come along strongly again, just like she did at Wimbledon and the US Open last year. Over the weekend she went 2-0 in the United States' first round Fed Cup win over France and has also made it deep into the Premier-level draw in Paris; seeded No.2, she could be Sharapova's biggest threat to the title, particularly as she beat her in their only prior meeting, at the US Open.

Rounding out the Top 8 seeds are Kaia Kanepi, Lucie Hradecka, Petra Kvitova, Kristina Barrois, Vania King and Elena Baltacha. Names to watch among the unseeded contingent are former Top 10 player Nicole Vaidisova and former Top 20 player Karolina Sprem, both on the comeback trail.