Maria Sharapova at the Sony Ericcsson Open – Preview

Maria Sharapova will be the topseed after all as the organizers of the Sony Ericsson Open decided to use the rankings before Indian Wells. Yet last year they used the ones after the Pacific Life Open.
The young Russian who is going to turn 20 on April 19th has a first round bye and then will either meet Chan, Yung-Jan from Taipei or Llagostera Vives, Nuria from Spain for a berth in the 3rd round. She has never played Chan before, but leads the H2H against Llagostera Vives 2-0.
Maria Kirilenko who is affectionately called lil’Masha and is good friends with Sharapova could meet Venus Williams in the 2nd round. The winner of this match is to meet Masha in the 3rd round. As if this weren’t enough drama there could also be a rematch of the Australian Open final as Serena could be waiting in the 4th round. In-form players Sybille Bammer and Lucie Safarova are luring around in Masha’s group as well.
Vaidisova will probably face Maria in the quarters – a long awaited match. With Hingis waiting in the semis a classic par excellence could be the case and finally Henin could be Maria’s opponent in the finals who also could have an early meet with Daniela Hantuchova this year’s Pacific Life Open winner…
Well get your reporters to Miami. There will be a lot of stories to gather… Anyhow it’s gonna be a heck of a tournament and let’s hope Maria will come back strong and beat them all 🙂 That’s the way we want her to be. Full of confidence and determination. Go get them gal!