Sharapova planning for perfect start

U.S. Open champion and world number two Maria Sharapova will lead a strong Russian challenge in next week's Australian Open.

The 19-year-old Siberian heads a powerful Russian contingent which also includes world number four Svetlana Kuznetsova, sixth-ranked Nadia Petrova and eighth-ranked Elena Dementieva.

After triumphing at Flushing Meadows for her second grand slam title four months ago, Sharapova is eager to add the Australian Open crown to her impressive trophy case.

Success in Melbourne has an added incentive for the Florida-based Russian as she would then overtake Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne as world number one.

Still, Sharapova has often said her main goal is to win titles rather than worry about the rankings.

"Personally, I don't feel it's a huge deal," she said referring to who might end up at the top of the rankings.

"I honestly don't remember who ends the year number one. You remember people who win grand slams."

The Australian Open is the only major that has so far eluded the Russian women but with seven of them in the top 20 they have a good chance to end the Melbourne jinx this year.

Russian men have not matched the success rate of their female compatriots in recent years.