Russia's Maria Sharapova will be battling to retain her world No. 1 ranking as well as her title in the women's draw of the Pacific Life Open that started in Indian Wells on Wednesday.
While top-seeded Sharapova enjoyed a first-round bye, Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands booked a shot at the Russian glamour-girl with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson.
When she does launch her defense, Sharapova will be playing for the first time since Feb. 3, when she strained her hamstring in the semi-finals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
PHOTO: AP
She must reach the semi-finals in Indian Wells to maintain her world No. 1 ranking over Belgian Justine Henin, one of several notable absentees.
Among other players jockeying for position in the first round on Wednesday, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki booked a clash with third-seeded Martina Hingis of Switzerland.
Wozniacki defeated Slovakia's Jarmila Gajdosova 6-3, 6-1 to set up the meeting with Hingis, the former world No. 1 who won the Indian Wells title in 1998.
Seventh-seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova said the field still offered a challenge.
"Sure the Belgians didn't show up but then you still have Maria [Sharapova] and Svetlana [Kuznetsova]," the 17-year-old said on Wednesday. "The field is tough. But I am very positive going into this event."
"I have been practising the last couple of weeks and I came in here last night feeling good," she said.
The Czech is hoping for a breakthrough year after reaching the semi-finals of the French Open and making it to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
"I am excited about this year. I had a good start in Australia and I hope to keep that going," Vaidisova said.
In addition to proving her fitness, Sharapova will be looking to rebound from a surprising loss to Serena Williams in this year's Australian Open final.
"It was one of those days where [Serena] was playing amazing tennis," Sharapova said on Wednesday. "I just wasn't capable of finding a way to beat her. She wasn't giving me any opportunities and I wasn't able to get back into the match."
Serena and her older sister, Venus, and Lindsay Davenport are the most notable US women who are absent. Davenport is on maternity leave and pondering retirement while the Williams sisters have not played the event since 2001.
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