Sharapova heads for Asia

Maria Sharapova will shortly head to Asia to continue her drive to get back to the top following a long battle with career-threatening injuries.

The 23-year-old Russian bowed out of the US Open on Monday, losing 6-3, 6-4 to top seed Caroline Wozniacki.

At times, Sharapova showed some of the old firepower that brought her three Grand Slam titles before her 21st birthday, but her game was riddled with unforced errors on serve and in the rallies.

“I felt like I played a couple of good points and then, you know, make an easy error, hit a return long or miss a first serve, give her many looks at second serve returns,” she said.

More stable

“I think my game just needs to be more stable and not so up and down, especially against an opponent like her.” Sharapova was in the depths of despair at this time last year after crashing out of the US Open to teenager Melanie Oudin as she battled with the crippling shoulder injury that forced her to quieten down her explosive service action.

But this year she has gradually been putting things back in place with title wins at Memphis and Strasbourg and a run into the final in Cincinnati, a top-tier tournament that serves as a prep for Flushing Meadows.

But her performances in the four Grand Slam tournaments, she admits, have been a disappointment, losing in the first round in Australia, the third round in the French Open and the fourth rounds at both Wimbledon and the US Open.

“Obviously, a bit unfortunate in the Grand Slam,” she commented on her year.

Big events

“I had my fair share of chances and didn’t take them throughout this whole year in the big events.

“That’s just the way it’s gone. But keep moving forward, keep working hard.”

Working hard for the moment means taking some time off to reflect on New York and then heading out to Asia where Sharapova has enjoyed regular success in the past.

Top of the bill will be the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo from September 26 - October 2 where she wil be the defending champion.

Sharapova captured her first WTA singles and doubles titles at the 2003 Japan Open, and also won her first professional title on the ITF Circuit series in Gunma, north of Tokyo, a year earlier.

Four titles

She has won four titles in Tokyo out of her 22 WTA titles, including the Japan Open twice and the 2005 Pan Pacific.

Last year, Sharapova put an end to a long lay-off caused by a shoulder injury by winning her first title since Amelia Island in April 2008, beating Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the final.

NEW YORK, AFP