Sharapova keen on titles rather than top ranking
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, March 20, 2013
Maria Sharapova rose to No. 2 in the rankings on Monday after her impressive title run at the BNP Paribas Open but says she is motivated much more by grand slam glory than the prospect of regaining the top spot.
"Number one is a great number," the elegant Russian laughed after demolishing eighth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2 in Sunday's final of the elite WTA event at Indian Wells to land her 28th title on the circuit.
"The more consistent you are and the better results that you have and the more wins that you're able to get, the better chances you have of getting that spot.
"Is it something that all of us want? Absolutely. It's a 'no-brainer' question. But I think at this point in my career, titles and grand slams are just a bigger priority."
Four-time grand slam Sharapova is well accustomed to the allure of being viewed as the game's best player, having become the fifth youngest woman to reach the top of the world rankings, at the age of 18 in 2005.
For her to regain that top spot, however, she will have to overhaul Serena Williams.
"Serena was very dominant last year," Sharapova said of Williams, who won Wimbledon, Olympic gold and the US Open as she piled up seven titles in a dazzling 2012 campaign. "She played tremendous, confident tennis.
When it comes to head-to-heads between Sharapova and the American, it is virtually no-contest. The Russian has won only twice in their 13 meetings.
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