World number ones Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova defend their
crowns at the Pacific Life Open later this week after sharply
contrasting build-ups.
Three-times champion Federer returns to the Indian Wells Tennis
Garden in pursuit of his eighth consecutive ATP title, having
crushed Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-4 6-3 in Saturday's Dubai Open
final.
The Swiss has equalled Bjorn Borg's total of 41 consecutive wins
and is closing in on the all-time record streak of 46 set by
Argentina's Guillermo Vilas in 1977.
"I am on a nice roll right now," Federer told reporters after
winning his fourth Dubai Open title in five years.
"Records are meant to be broken but if I don't, it's all right.
I will start all over again.
"It's nice to be playing against the history books," added the
Swiss. "It's one of the nicest things to be able to do because I
never thought I would ever do such a thing."
Federer demolished American James Blake 7-5 6-3 6-0 in last
year's final at Indian Wells en route to a haul of 12 ATP titles
and one of the most successful seasons in tennis history.
While the Swiss has been in seemingly unstoppable mood, Russian
Sharapova has not played for more than a month because of a
lingering hamstring injury.
A tight left hamstring caused her problems at the Australian
Open in January before forcing her to retire in the second set of
her Pan Pacific Open semifinal against Serbia's Ana Ivanovic early
last month.
The Russian teenager pulled out of the Dubai Open two weeks ago
as a precaution but said on Monday the injury had completely
healed.
"I am very eager to return to competition here (at Indian
Wells)," the 19-year-old was quoted as saying on her official
website.
Top-seeded Sharapova, who crushed compatriot Elena Dementieva
6-1 6-2 in last year's final, will launch her title defense against
either Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson or Dutch player Michaella Krajicek
after getting a bye into the second round.
Five of the top eight seeds are Russians, with second-seeded
Svetlana Kuznetsova scheduled to meet either Italy's Romina Oprandi
or American wildcard Lilia Osterloh in round two.
Martina Hingis of Switzerland is seeded third, ahead of Russian
Nadia Petrova (fourth) and Dementieva (fifth).
The leading 12 players from the women's qualifying round, which
ends on Tuesday, will advance into the opening round of the women's
event on Wednesday.
Federer's main rivals in the men's event, which starts on
Friday, include French Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain,
Americans Andy Roddick and Blake, and Russian Nikolay
Davydenko.
The opening Masters Series event of 2007 finishes on March
18.
(China Daily via Reuters March 7, 2007)