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The world No.1 crown doesn’t interest Maria Sharapova so much in 2015 as she focuses on starting the new year in style with a maiden Brisbane International title.
Sharapova jetted into Australia from Los Angeles on Thursday as the top-seed for the year-opening tournament which gives her a big opportunity to close the gap on long-time nemisis Serena Williams.
Williams, who toppled the Russian in last year’s Brisbane final, among 15 straight wins over her, has instead opted to play Hopman Cup in Perth and will forego defending the tournament’s 750 ranking points.
A Sharapova triumph will cut the margin to 685 and also boost her confidence leading into the Australian Open where she has more ranking points available after a fourth-round finish last year.
But the five-time grand slam champion said she was more interested playing to her potential than making it back to the top of the WTA rankings for the sixth time.
“I just want to focus on matches and competing well and being the best player out there,” the 27-year-old told reporters.
“I want to start the year well. It’s nice to come back to Brisbane. It was my first time playing here last year.”
While favourite for the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Trophy, Sharapova faces stiff opposition from a field that features four women in the top 10 and eight in the top 20, not to forget dangerous unseeded pair Sam Stosur and Victoria Azarenka.
Rounding out Brisbane’s top four seeds are crowd favourite Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerber and Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova who upset Sharapova last year at Melbourne Park.
“I think it’s one of the best tournaments, a tough field, it’s great preparation for all of us, I think that’s why so many of us love coming here,” Sharapova said.
German world No.9 Kerber also flew in on Thursday and set her 2015 sights on closing out tournaments after finishing as runner-up four times last year, including Sydney.
“I lost four finals last year so I hope I can win one final at least this year,” she said. “That is my goal for sure.”
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