Sharapova 'on track'

Russian star expects to defend Melbourne title

Last updated: 25th November 2008

Sharapova 'on track'

Sharapova: Shoulder injury

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Maria Sharapova's agent has said the Russian star expects to be back on tour in time to defend her Australian Open title early next year.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined since the summer after suffering an injured right shoulder.

Max Eisenbud said Sharapova was "on track" to make her return at an exhibition event in Hong Kong between January 7-10.

The three-time Grand Slam winner then plans to head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, which begins on January 19.

"She's doing good," Eisenbud said. "Everything's on track."

Sharapova has not played competitively since a torn rotator cuff tendon was diagnosed following her withdrawal from the Rogers Cup event, held in Montreal in late July.

The injury meant that she missed a major for the first time since her Grand Slam debut at the 2003 Australian Open.

Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 and the US Open in 2006 as well as this year's Australian Open.

Although she briefly held number one spot in the WTA rankings in 2008, Sharapova eventually finished the season ranked number nine.