April 02, 2011
It has been a long road back but Maria Sharapova will finally return to the world's top 10 in next week's updated world rankings. The 23-year-old Russian, who has been struggling to recover following a shoulder injury, will move up to No 9 in the list whatever the result of her final in Miami today against Victoria Azarenka, who will be attempting to regain the title she won two years ago.
Sharapova, who earned her place in her third Miami final with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Andrea Petkovic, was last in the world's top 10 during the 2009 Australian Open, which came in the middle of a nine-month break she took from singles play as she underwent surgery. Her recovery has not been easy – this will be her first final for seven months – though she gave an indication of a return to form with a run to the semi-finals in Indian Wells a fortnight ago.
After losing the opening set, Sharapova upped her game while Petkovic, who was troubled by a rib injury, faded fast. The German, who beat Sharapova at the Australian Open, had overcome Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic in earlier rounds.
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