Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova will attack the challenge of beating former world number one Angelique Kerber without fear on Saturday as she seeks redemption in her comeback from a drug ban.
The 2008 Australian Open champion said she is under no illusions she will face tough tests early in tournaments having just returned to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open in August last year after spending 15 months out of the game for testing positive to the banned drug meldonium.
In that tournament Sharapova lost in the fourth round to Anastasija Sevastova but on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday she had her revenge defeating the 14th seed Sevastova in straight sets.
After the win Sharapova said playing Kerber in what shapes as a mouth-watering third round clash was exactly the type of challenge she had to overcome to return to former glory.
"I look forward to these matches. I want to be playing against opponents that are former Grand Slam champions. She's had success here ... I want to see where I am on that level," Sharapova said.
With a world ranking of 59 at the end of 2017, Sharapova knows she has plenty of ground to make up if she wants to reclaim a spot in the top 10.
However Kerber is also on something of a comeback trail, having lost her number one ranking to drop out of the top 10 last year.
She celebrated her 30th birthday with a straight sets win over Croatia's Donna Vekic but knows the challenge that awaits.
"It's another tough match," Kerber said.
"I will have to play my best tennis."
Kerber feels she is returning to the form of 2016 where she made three Grand Slam finals, winning the Australian and US Open.
It's now a decade since Sharapova won the 2008 title but the 30-year-old says she is on the improve.
"I'm more comfortable at the net than I was. I have added a little bit more variety to my game. I still feel like the basics of my game can improve from when I have come back. I think I can be more consistent," Sharapova said.
The head to head record between the two former champions is 4-3 in Sharapova's favour but Kerber has won their past two encounters and not lost to the Russian since 2013.
The German, who was number one in the world in 2016, says she will be focused more on getting her own game in order rather than worrying about what Sharapova dishes up.
"I'm just looking more about me, like how I will prepare, just playing my game from the first point," Kerber said.
But both players know everyone will be watching with the same question in their minds as Sharapova is asking herself: what level is she at?
"It will be a good match," Kerber said.
