Sharapova confirms return

Maria Sharapova will make her return to action at this week's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, she has confirmed.

Russian returns to action at Indian Wells

Maria Sharapova will make her return to action at this week's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells she has confirmed. The Russian has been dogged by an injury to her right shoulder over recent months which forced her to miss the last two Grand Slam events (2008 US Open and 2009 Australian Open) and also last year's Beijing Olympics. The 21-year-old had been expected to return earlier this year, but also pulled out of the Open GDF Suez tournament in Paris and the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. However, she is now ready for her competitive comeback and is hoping for a successful showing in California. "I am excited to be playing competitive tennis again," the Russian told her personal website. "The healing process takes time, and requires things to move more slowly than I would like, but I am taking things one step at a time. "I look forward to playing at the BNP Paribas Open, it is definitely one of my favourite tournaments in the world." Sharapova is also scheduled to compete in the doubles tournament at Indian Wells and will team up with compatriot Elena Vesnina in what will be her first doubles outing for some four years.