At 30-years-old the former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova may not be done yet. Still searching her way following a 15-months ban due to a failed drug test back in January 2016, the Russian has been struggling with injuries and low shape recently. In April, she returned to action following that long sabbatical but despite having some decent results on the European red clay she was forced to skip several WTA tournaments in a row due to some health issues.
Currently ranked 148th in the world, Sharapova has received a wild-card entry for the 2017 US Open Tennis Championships, the last Grand Slam of the season and the event that will end the US Open Series.
A former titlist in New York back in 2006, the Russian could use this opportunity to get back inside the top 100 at least. The current state of the WTA Tour can provide even more chances and it's not out of proportion to think that the 30-year-old could make a deeper run at Flushing Meadows,
Maria Sharapova skipped most of the warm-up prior to US Open
Still recovering from that hip injury she suffered earlier this year in Rome and dealing with a new injury on her arm, Sharapova was forced to withdraw from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. The arm injury occurred a while ago in Stanford. After winning her opening match at Bank of the West Classic, Sharapova had to pull out the plug. Last week, she skipped the Rogers Cup in Toronto due to the same reason.
All these events had Sharapova on their main draw after she had received wild-cards. By not competing, she missed some great chances to improve her game and her ranking before the US Open. Unseeded in New York, she will have to expect a tough draw.
The Asian leg could be the oxygen bag she needed
After the 2017 US Open reaches its conclusion, the WTA circuit will enter its last major segment of the season with a fair share of big tournaments scheduled for the Asian leg. Few Premier events including a Premier Mandatory one in Beijing may present themselves as great places to gather precious ranking points. Usually, the players who perform well up until the US Open limit will go on a downward spiral during this segment.
All that fatigue or even the routine will take its toll leaving the stage open for others. Even if her ranking foes remain outside the top 100 limit, it is likely to see Sharapova in the main draw of the WTA events of the Asian leg. Wuhan (Premier 5) and Beijing (Premier Mandatory) are the main attraction of the segment.
