World number ones Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova defend their crowns at the Pacific Life Open later this week after sharply contrasting build-ups.

Three-times champion Federer returns to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in pursuit of his eighth consecutive ATP title, having crushed Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-4 6-3 in Saturday's Dubai Open final.

The Swiss has equalled Bjorn Borg's total of 41 consecutive wins and is closing in on the all-time record streak of 46 set by Argentina's Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

"I am on a nice roll right now," Federer told reporters after winning his fourth Dubai Open title in five years.

"Records are meant to be broken but if I don't, it's all right. I will start all over again.

"It's nice to be playing against the history books," added the Swiss. "It's one of the nicest things to be able to do because I never thought I would ever do such a thing."

Federer demolished American James Blake 7-5 6-3 6-0 in last year's final at Indian Wells en route to a haul of 12 ATP titles and one of the most successful seasons in tennis history.

While the Swiss has been in seemingly unstoppable mood, Russian Sharapova has not played for more than a month because of a lingering hamstring injury.

A tight left hamstring caused her problems at the Australian Open in January before forcing her to retire in the second set of her Pan Pacific Open semifinal against Serbia's Ana Ivanovic early last month.

The Russian teenager pulled out of the Dubai Open two weeks ago as a precaution but said on Monday the injury had completely healed.

"I am very eager to return to competition here (at Indian Wells)," the 19-year-old was quoted as saying on her official website.

Top-seeded Sharapova, who crushed compatriot Elena Dementieva 6-1 6-2 in last year's final, will launch her title defense against either Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson or Dutch player Michaella Krajicek after getting a bye into the second round.

Five of the top eight seeds are Russians, with second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova scheduled to meet either Italy's Romina Oprandi or American wildcard Lilia Osterloh in round two.

Martina Hingis of Switzerland is seeded third, ahead of Russian Nadia Petrova (fourth) and Dementieva (fifth).

The leading 12 players from the women's qualifying round, which ends on Tuesday, will advance into the opening round of the women's event on Wednesday.

Federer's main rivals in the men's event, which starts on Friday, include French Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain, Americans Andy Roddick and Blake, and Russian Nikolay Davydenko.

The opening Masters Series event of 2007 finishes on March 18.

(China Daily via Reuters March 7, 2007)