No French expectations for Sharapova

Former World No 1 Sharapova is just happy to be playing after her return from a nine-month injury lay-off

Former World No 1 Sharapova is just happy to be playing after her return from a nine-month injury lay-off

Maria Sharapova played down her hopes of a deep run into the French Open and admitted she's just happy to be playing again after almost 10 months on the sidelines.

The former World No 1 played her first competitive singles match this week since recovering from the shoulder injury which kept her out of the US Open, Olympics and this year's Australian Open.

Maria Sharapova in action during the Warsaw Open.

"I don't have any expectations. I don't think this is the time in my career to have expectations," said the Russian who made the quarter-finals of the Warsaw Open before losing to Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko.

"But I am glad I played. It's a lot better than being at home and watching other people play and compete.
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I couldn't be happier. Obviously it's always disappointing to lose. You always want to win and come out on top, but it's been great."

Great preparation

Sharapova, whose best performance at Roland Garros remains a semi-final spot in 2007, now awaits the start of Sunday's French Open, having finally made it back on court.

"This is the greatest preparation I could have had. I played three matches. I spent about three or four hours on the court in good match situations, and I couldn't be happier about it."