Sharapova adds even more star power to Family Circle Cup

The Family Circle Cup received a pleasant surprise Tuesday when Maria Sharapova announced she would play in its 35th anniversary tournament April 12-20 on Daniel Island.

Miami's loss appears to be Charleston's gain in that Sharapova was sitting out the current Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and was looking for a tournament to play before heading to Europe for the clay-court season. There was hardly anything else available other than next week's smaller clay-court event at Amelia Island, Fla.

Sharapova chose the $1.34 million Tier I Family Circle Cup, which now has seven of the world's top 10 players.

Sharapova, the world's fifth-ranked player and current Australian Open champion, decided to skip the Miami event after suffering a shoulder injury in a semifinal loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova two weeks ago at Indian Wells.

"After getting some much-needed rest for both my shoulder and my body, I now feel in great shape both mentally and physically to get back on the court," Sharapova said. "The Family Circle Cup has such a solid reputation on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, and I'm excited to start my clay-court season in Charleston."

Sharapova only needs a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam at her young age. She will turn 21 on April 19, or the semifinal date of the clay-court Family Circle Cup. She won Wimbledon in 2004 and the U.S. Open in 2006.

This will be Sharapova's second appearance on Daniel Island. She first appeared here in 2003, losing in the first round after earning a main draw berth in qualifying. The news of Sharapova's entry this year came one day

earlier in April than her withdrawal from the Family Circle Cup in 2007 on the heels of a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Serena Williams in the round of 16 at Miami.

"Maria Sharapova is one of the most exciting and talented players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, and her addition to our 35th anniversary celebration makes this year's event one of the best ever," tournament director Robin Reynolds said.

The Family Circle Cup now has 10 of the top 13 players in the world entered, including top 10 players Justine Henin (1), defending champion Jelena Jankovic (3), Anna Chakvetadze (6), Venus Williams (7), Serena Williams (8) and Marion Bartoli (9).

The only top 10 players missing from the Family Circle entry list are Ana Ivanovic (2), Kuznetsova (4) and Daniela Hantuchova (9).

Petrova withdraws

The Family Circle Cup also announced that 2006 champion Nadia Petrova (17) has withdrawn due to a strained right quadricep injury that forced her to retire in Miami against Zheng Jie while holding a 2-1 lead in a second-round match.

Also, No. 14 Tatiana Golovin has withdrawn from the Family Circle Cup due to recent surgery.