Tuesday December 10 2002

Time is ripe for Sharapova to oust Kournikova
Unus Alladin

Rising Russian star Maria Sharapova may be ranked only 186th in the world, but do not let her ranking fool you. Few doubt that the 15-year-old will rise to the top and before long challenge the world's best.

Sharapova has already claimed fame by being the youngest ever player to reach the Australian Open Junior finals, the youngest to be ranked in the WTA top 350 and the youngest to make it into the 2002 World Team Tennis draft. Her good looks and obvious talents have been featured in magazines such as Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair and sports channels like ESPN.

But does she have what it takes to threaten the likes of the Williams sisters, Jennifer Capriati or Lindsay Davenport? Sharapova, who is five-foot-11 and still growing, believes she can. She first has to mature physically, she said. 'I need to get stronger to be able to compete against them [the top players]. They are so strong. But if I grow and my muscles continue to grow, it will be all right. If I do my best, I know I can compete against them. I just need to get physically stronger,' said Sharapova.

'I don't want to say to myself that I must be number 20 in the world in two months. If I play great, good things will happen.'

Modelled on the looks of fellow Russian Anna Kournikova, Sharapova just might be the rising star who will shoot to the top. Like Kournikova she has yet to win a WTA title but she has already tasted victory in the professional ranks. Sharapova has, in fact, won three titles so far. She won challenger tournaments in 2002 Georgia (US), Vancouver and Gunma in Japan in her first year as a professional.

'If I am playing my best and if I play to my greatest [potential], good things will happen. I really want to be number one in the world and to win Grand Slam titles. If I play well, I can do anything,' said Sharapova during a telephone interview yesterday.

'I have always followed my own footsteps and never really had a role model before.'

An American resident for seven years, Sharapova might be the 'new Kournikova' as far as looks are concerned, but Sharapova insists she is her 'own self' and has never thought about comparing herself to her famous compatriot.

'I never really thought about it [being compared to Kournikova]. I do my own thing and concentrate on myself. I try to be myself and not look at anyone,' she said.

She said she was 'working hard' to get into shape for next month's Australian Open and for the Hong Kong Ladies Challenge. She is also excited that she could play against Monica Seles in the Hong Kong tournament for the second time having played the American legend at the Indian Wells Masters this year.

'I didn't do so well against her [she lost 6-0, 6-2] because she's a top player. It was unbelievable. Many people don't get a chance to play her. I have gained a lot of experience from that match,' said Sharapova.

Tickets for the Hong Kong tournament from January 1-4 went on sale yesterday and are priced at $200 for the first two days, and $300 for the third day and the final. Students can enjoy a special discount.