Sharapova to face Makarova in Brisbane first round match
BRISBANE: Maria Sharapova will open her Australian campaign with a match against Ekaterina Makarova following Friday’s draw for the Brisbane International.
Defending champion and third seed Sharapova will play world number 23 Makarova in a rematch from last year’s Australian Open semi-final.
“This was a grand slam semifinal last year in Australia,” five-time grand slam champion Sharapova told reporters.
“For a first match, it’s a pretty high-quality match against a pretty tough opponent.”
World number four Sharapova, 28, who beat Ana Ivanovic in last year’s Brisbane final, leads Makarova 6-0 in their past meetings. World number two and top seed Simona Halep has drawn a bye for her opening round but could face two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka in the second round.
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza is the second seed. After a firstround bye she will face either American Varvara Lepchenko or Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
LACK OF WILD CARDS AT CHENNAI OPEN
NEW DELHI: A lack of wildcards in the hands of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association is the reason why India’s most seasoned singles campaigners, Somdev Devvarman and Saketh Myneni will have to go through quali fiers in the upcoming Chenna Open starting January 4.
The hosts of the ATP 250 event, the TNTA, say that they had just one singles’ wildcard in their hand this time and the rest were decided by IMG, who are co-owners of the tournament.
While Saketh is ranked 170th Somdev is a few rungs below at 177th in the ATP charts.