Mariain Ozdraw honour
AUSTRALIAN Open director Craig Tiley has defended the decision to invite Maria Sharapova to the draw ceremony.
With defending champion Serena Williams missing, organisers chose the Russian to represent the women.
Sharapova entered Margaret Court Arena carrying the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at the same venue she failed a dope test two years ago.
But Tiley said there were no mixed messages citing her status as an ex-champion – she won the trophy 10 years ago.
In the absence of Williams and Victoria Azarenka, who is embroiled in an custody battle over baby son Leo, Sharapova and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber are the only former winners in the draw.
With Kerber still competing at the tournament in Sydney, Tiley called on Sharapova.
He said: “We wanted to have a former champion. We were happy she accepted our invite. Maria deserved the chance.”
This is set to be a wide open tournament in the absence of Williams and Sharapova revealed she still believes she can be world No.1.
She said. “It’s for anyone to grab. I will hope that I put myself in that position.”
Britain’s No.9 seed Johanna Konta drew American Madison Brengle while Heather Watson, who is through to the semi-finals of the Hobart International, takes on Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.
There was a tough draw for Britain’s only man in the singles with Kyle Edmund facing 11th seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa.