Sharapova gets wild card in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati event, which is a key warm-up for the final major of the season--US Open, also granted a wildcard to Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka who recently made a comeback to the tennis court following maternity leave. Reflecting on the same, tournament director Andre Silva said that Sharapova and Azarenka have been granted wildcard in a bid to add to their already strong player field. 

“The addition of these players add to our already strong player field. We anticipate the WTA’s No 1 ranking to be on the line during the tournament and adding players of this calibre will make the battle for the top spot even more compelling,” Sport24 quoted Silva as saying. The 30-year-old Sharapova emerged as a winner in Cincinnati in 2011 while Azarenka clinched the title just two years later. 

The Cincinnati Masters is slated to begin on August 12 and runs until August 20. Sharapova’s comeback has already been disrupted by a hip muscle injury, but she looks adamant to tackle the US hardcourt season well.