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Maria Sharapova a doubt for US Open at Flushing Meadows

Maria Sharapova is hoping to be healthy in time for the US Open
Image: Maria Sharapova admits to fitness doubts ahead of the US Open

Maria Sharapova's chances of participating at the US Open are in doubt after the Russian admitted she was still short of fitness on the eve of this year's renewal.

Sharapova is struggling with a muscle strain in her right leg and has not played a competitive match since losing to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon semi-finals just over seven weeks ago.

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The five-time major champion was forced to withdraw from the Rogers Cup in Montreal earlier this month and has only been able to do limited training in the build-up to the year's final major.

Sharapova, a winner at Flushing Meadows in 2006, said: "You have to be realistic and limit your expectations but it's not easy. As a competitor, when you get on the court you want to do the best you can.

"I will try limit my expectations but it's not easy. I'm feeling better, it's just a time thing, dealing with these niggling issues. It's just a process."

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates at the net after winning the Ladies Singles Semi Final match against Maria Sharapova
Image: Serena Williams is a strong favourite in New York, according to Sharapova

Sharapova could meet Williams in the semi-finals in New York and despite a miserable record against the American, she represents one of the few who could trouble the defending champion.

Williams is hoping to become the first female player to win a 'calendar grand slam' since Steffi Graff in 1988 and the fourth to achieve the feat in history.

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"In many ways it's just a huge bonus for her to be in this position," Sharapova said.

"She's got so many great memories and victories in New York and being back for such a special occasion is a big story. Has she got a great chance? I think you could safely say that, yes."

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Serena Williams will claim her first calendar-year Grand Slam if she wins the US Open

Williams has lost only two matches so far this year and success at Flushing Meadows would see her draw level with Graf's 22 major titles and move one closer to Margaret Court's all-time best 24.

The 33-year-old's dominance has led to questions regarding the standard of the rest of the field, with Sharapova herself losing all of their last 17 meetings.

"She's been playing at an incredible level," Sharapova said.

"It doesn't take anything away from the other players. We have to step up. When we want to go out on the court, we want to perform better and that's what drives us.

"If we didn't think we could then I personally wouldn't be able to go out on the court."

Williams plays Russia's Vitalia Diatchenko in the first round in New York while Sharapova is scheduled to open up against Australian Daria Gavrilova.

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