Maria Sharapova opens her US Open campaign against Jarmila Groth in round one.

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Sharapova's dazzling success at the 2006 US Open aged just 19 seems like such a long time ago now. The Russian looked set to dominate the tennis world but she's been plagued by injury in recent years with a chronic shoulder problem, defusing a once fearsome serve. 

Sharapova could not have hoped for better success in the warm-up events, making the final in Stanford and Cincinnati and the heel problem she suffered a few weeks ago is reportedly behind her. With many of the game's leading stars struggling right now, Sharapova is a realistic contender for this title and the winner of her projected fourth round clash with Caroline Wozniacki will be huge favourite to make the final. 

Groth was playing challengers at the start of 2010 but she came from nowhere to reach the fourth round at the French Open and Wimbledon. However she's yet to beat a top 20 player and lost 6-2, 6-3 to Na Li a couple of weeks ago in Montreal so Sharapova should be safe.

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