Sharapova Ready For Melbourne Push

Maria Sharapova, the 2007 Australian Open finalist, is confident of at least repeating last year's feat in Melbourne later this month despite once more opting out of the traditional warm-up tournaments.
 
Sharapova was humbled by Serena Williams 6-1 6-2 in last year's final in her first event of 2007 after choosing to play an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong instead of the pre-Australian Open events in Sydney, Auckland, Hobart and the Gold Coast.
 
The 20-year-old two-time grand slam winner, who became the first Russian woman to reach the Australian Open final, is back in Hong Kong and will use the star-studded JB Group Classic as her only tune-up before travelling to Melbourne.
 
"It has worked well for me over the last few years. I don't like playing a tournament a week before a grand slam," said Sharapova.
 
"I like to get to Melbourne and get a good weeks training. This is the best preparation I can get. You are guaranteed a few matches against the top players, which is better than just training.
 
Sharapova is second favourite behind world number one Justine Henin to win a third grand slam title, with defending champion Serena edging out older sister Venus as third favourite in Melbourne.
 
"I have had a really good five or six weeks of training and I am really looking forward to the new season," added Sharapova. "Last year was probably the biggest learning curve for me on and off the court."
 
Unlike the pre-Australian Open swing, the Hong Kong event boasts an impressive line-up which includes six of the worlds current top 11 players, including French Open finalist Ana Ivanovic, Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and US Open semi-finalist Anna Chakvetadze.
 
Sharapova, who beat world number six Chakvetadze 6-0 7-6 in an exhibition match in Singapore on Sunday, opens the tournament against former Wimbledon junior champion and world number 60 Caroline Wozniacki on Tuesday, while Chakvetadze faces world number nine and Indian Wells champion Daniela Hantuchova.
 
On Wednesday, world number eight Williams takes on China's Peng Shuai and Wimbledon semi-finalist Ivanovic faces world number 11 Elena Dementieva.
 
World number five Sharapova also responded to recent comments made by Australian Open champion Williams, who revealed her goal for 2008 is to regain the world number one spot.
 
"It is everyone's goal to become number one. Everyone has the chance to do that but its more important to win every match you play and give everything you have every time," added Sharapova, who ended an injury-plagued 2007 as world number five.
 
"I don't worry about it too much really. I don't like to put too many goals on myself. I just look forward to winning the tough matches and becoming number one and winning grand slams."