TENNIS in DEPTH.

Maria Sharapova will continue her journey on the comeback trail, playing a starring role at the AEGON Classic in Edgbaston.

A two-time AEGON Classic champion, Sharapova will compete in Edgbaston after nine months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

The Russian former world No.1 said she was delighted that her sixth visit to the AEGON Classic would mark her return to grass court competition for the year.

“I’m really excited about getting back on to the grass courts again and playing in the AEGON Classic,” said 22-year-old Sharapova.

“Birmingham is a really special tournament for me and I always get great support. I’ve won there twice before and I always feel very welcome – it’s excellent preparation for Wimbledon.”

Joining Sharapova in the main draw are two of the world’s top-ranked tennis players, Jie Zheng and Kaia Kanepi.

World No.15 Zheng made headlines when she reached the semi-finals of The Championships, Wimbledon last year, defeating No.1 seeded Ana Ivanovic en route.

The Beijing Olympic doubles bronze medallist will be hoping to add a fourth WTA Tour singles title to her name when she makes her second visit to the Edgbaston Priory Club.

The first Estonian to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal (at the 2008 French Open), Kanepi makes her debut in Birmingham this year. Currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No.18 in the world, the 23-year-old reached the semi-finals in Dubai and the quarterfinals in Rome earlier this year.

Some of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s most talented rising stars, including Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Urszula Radwanska, promise to add to the on-court excitement

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