US Open 2011 preview – Maria Sharapova's US Open draw

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Maria Sharapova (credit: Wikimedia)

Crunchsports.com previews Maria Sharapova's chances of success at the 2011 US Open...

Maria Sharapova is one of the favourites to win this year’s US Open, and it looks like she has been placed in a reasonably safe part of the draw.

She’ll begin with a first round clash against British underdog Heather Watson, who is a spirited player, but will need to produce one of the best displays of her career to trouble the Russian.

Should Sharapova pull through, she’ll then take on either Anastasiya Yakimova or a qualifier. Yakimova has been in and out of the top 100 over the last six years, and it seems unlikely that she’ll be able to do enough to stop the former world No. 1.

Flavia Pennetta would then be her most likely third round opponent. Sharapova would once again be the favourite, but she’ll need to be on her toes against the Italian. Pennetta won the most recent meeting between the pairing (Los Angeles, 2009 - 6-2 4-6 6-3), so it would be unwise to rule out an upset.

Shuai Peng and Julia Goerges are seemingly the most capable players that could meet Sharapova in round four. Regardless of whoever prevails in their part of the draw, this could turn into a tough battle for the third seed.

If Sharapova can stay in the competition, she’s likely to be looking at a quarter-final clash against either Petra Kvitova or Agnieszka Radwanska. Having lost to Kvitova in the Wimbledon final, Sharapova will be keen to get past the Czech. Radwanska could also be a major obstacle. The Pole has been in superb form in recent weeks.

A number of players could then await in the final four. These include Vera Zvonareva, Venus Williams, Marion Bartoli, Samantha Stosur and Sabine Lisicki.

In the event that Sharapova succeeds again, she could face the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Francesca Schiavone or Na Li in the final.

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