Sharapova hopes to be ready for Aussie Open

Maria Sharapova is confident of being fit enough to defend her Australian Open title next month, despite withdrawing from next month's JB Group Classic in Hong Kong.

The 21-year-old Russian underwent arthroscopic surgery her injured right shoulder on October 15 and only started hitting balls just over two weeks ago.

With the Australian Open beginning on January 19 at Melbourne Park, Sharapova may look toward warm-up events in Brisbane, Auckland and Hobart and Sydney.

“I miss competing so much,” said Sharapova, who hasn't played on the WTA Tour since early July. “I am trying to do everything possible to be ready for Australia, but I have promised my doctors, coach and family that I will not rush back.”

Sharapova said late in 2007 that bursitis was the cause of her shoulder problems, but an extensive examination this past summer revealed that former No. 1 had torn tendons.

“The great news is that we have taken care of the problem that has been bothering me so much over the last couple of years, and now is the time to get into what I call ‘match shape',” Sharapova said. “I know my shoulder will be 100 percent by Australia, I just need to see if I have enough tennis training to be ready for that level.”

Last year Sharapova used the Hong Kong event as her only preparation for the Australian Open and was expected to follow the same route to Melbourne this time around.

“I've been using this event for the last five years to get match fit and ready for the new season; in fact Hong Kong has been successful in preparing me for the Australian Open,” Sharapova said. “I'm just not ready to play against the top class competition in Hong Kong, although I remain hopeful for Australia.”