Maria Sharapova feels she is hitting her stride and has a chance to capture her second US Open title
New York: Maria Sharapova, who has shot back up the rankings after a shoulder injury that almost ended her career, feels she is hitting her stride and has a chance to capture her second US Open title in four years.
After suffering a shoulder injury in 2008 that required surgery, the three-time grand slam winner spent several months on the sidelines and dropped as far as 126th in the rankings.
But Sharapova is now ranked 16th in the world heading into the August 30-September 12 tournament and said reaching the finals of two straight tournaments in recent weeks has convinced her she can snap a grand slam drought nearing three years.
"I feel like I'm getting there," Sharapova, who pulled out of the WTA tournament in Montreal last week with a heel injury, said.
"I've had great successful memories in New York as well as tough ones. Having to miss it two years ago because of my shoulder and then coming back last year with pressure ... well that wasn't easy."
Sharapova has not won a grand slam since she triumphed at the Australian Open in 2009. Eight months after the victory, the 23-year-old had right shoulder surgery and was slow to find the form that once vaulted her to the number one ranking.
She lost in the finals to Victoria Azarenka at the Stanford Classic and to defending US Open champion Kim Clijsters at the Cincinnati Open but is heartened by recent victories over top players.
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