Not so long ago, Maria Sharapova felt jinxed at the Brisbane International.
However, the five-time grand slam winner now appears charmed ahead of the Australian Open after clinching a maiden WTA title in Queensland.
Top seed Sharapova claimed her lead-up to the opening grand slam could not be better after overcoming fellow ex-world No.1 Ana Ivanovic 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-3 to seal her 34th career title in Brisbane on Saturday night.
How times have changed.
In 2013, Sharapova shattered Brisbane fans – and no doubt organisers – when she pulled out of the tournament late for the third time due to injury.
And when she finally committed to her first full Queensland campaign, the Russian was bundled out by her nemesis Serena Williams in the 2014 semi-finals.
Yet world No.2 Sharapova could see the funny side of her frustrating Brisbane run after holding aloft the Evonne Goolagong-Cawley Trophy on Saturday night.
“I had been trying to play this tournament for seven or eight years,” Sharapova said.
“But due to injuries and things I never quite made it.
“I finally did last year and lost in the semi-final so I told (tournament director) Cameron (Pearson) that maybe this is just not a great tournament for me.
“But I am so glad I kept going at it – I can’t think of a better preparation than here.”
Sharapova had dropped just nine games in three Brisbane matches to get to her 56th WTA final.
However, the Russian came up against stiff opposition in Ivanovic despite the former French Open champ battling an abdominal complaint that forced a medical time-out at the end of the second set.
But Sharapova emerged from the two hour, 39 minute epic in triumph – and a chance of overtaking world No.1 Williams by the end of the month.
Not that she cared.
“Maybe if I was a teenager or someone that was just looking to kind of break through and be No.1 for the first time maybe I would be more upbeat about it,” said the 27-year-old of reclaiming the No.1 ranking from Williams, who she has not beaten since 2004.
“But I’m happy with the way this week went.”
“The goal is to win as many matches as you can – that gives you a greater opportunity to get to that ranking.”
But it takes more than world rankings or grand slam success to impress her family.
Sharapova confirmed she would keep up Fed Cup appearances for Russia in 2015 in a move that will all but ensure Rio Olympic selection – much to her grandparents’ relief.
“In Russia, Olympics is a very big event for everyone,” Sharapova said.
“It was meaningful to go out in London and get a silver medal.
“My grandpa still talks about it.
“(It is like) ‘grandpa, I won like five grand slams and you’re telling me about my Olympic silver’.”
