Sharapova poised to reclaim Wimbledon crown

LONDON: Maria Sharapova will attempt to complete her long journey back from the wilderness at Wimbledon on Saturday when she takes on Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova for the women's singles crown.

The 24-year-old Russian fifth seed is the overwhelming favourite to reclaim the title that she won for the first time in 2004, when as a fresh-faced teenager she took the All England Club by storm.

Sharapova's victory in SW19 seven years ago was followed by further Grand Slam titles at the Australian and US Opens by the time she turned 21, a period that also saw her rise to world number one.

But Sharapova's march to the summit of women's tennis has been blown off course since 2007, when a serious shoulder injury led to a long lay-off which led many to wonder if she could ever be the same player.

Yet this season has provided the first solid proof that Sharapova is ready once more to fulfill her vast potential, with a semi-final run at the French Open followed by her serene progress into the Wimbledon final.

With Serena and Venus Williams showing signs of decline, Justine Henin retired and Kim Clijsters injured, there is a vacancy at the top of the women's game that Sharapova looks equipped to fill.

Sharapova admitted she had endured dark days in 2008 and 2009, when she was struggling back from shoulder surgery and she dropped out of the top 100.


Sharapova is bracing for a sterner challenge from Kvitova in Saturday's final however, the 21-year-old Czech challenger who is appearing in a Grand Slam final for the first time.

Kvitova is the first left-hander to make the final at the All England Club since her childhood inspiration Martina Navratilova in 1990.

Azarenka believes Kvitova is capable of bucking the odds for a second time when she faces Sharapova in the final. (AFP)