Sharapova wild about getting a start in Sydney

Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova could be heading to Sydney for the first time after requesting a wildcard for next month's Sydney International. One of the world's most photographed athletes, Sharapova will contest the Auckland Classic from January 3 to 8 before deciding whether or not to round out her Australian Open preparations in the harbour city. Ordinarily, officials would already have handed out their quota of wildcards a week before the event, but Sharapova will understandably receive the red-carpet treatment. Tournament director Craig Watson will give the former world No.1 and three-time grand slam champion right up until the tournament-eve draw to commit to the hardcourt event, which runs from January 9 to 15. ''I would love to see her in the draw and so would her legion of fans here in Sydney,'' Watson said yesterday. Sharapova, 23, has never played in Sydney and her appearance would add yet more star power to an already stunning line-up featuring the world's top three - Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva and Kim Clijsters, as well as Australian No.1 Samantha Stosur. All up, seven of the world's top-10 women's players are venturing to Sydney. Ranked 18th, Sharapova made an impressive comeback this year from career-threatening shoulder surgery, collecting titles in Memphis and Strasbourg and reaching finals in Birmingham, Stanford and Cincinnati.