Sharapova to kick off 2019 season in Shenzhen

SHENZHEN - Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova will play WTA Shenzhen Open, the opener of the 2019 season, organizers of the tournament said here on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Russian reached the semifinals here last January, before reaching semis in Rome, last eight in Madrid and French Open, and concluding the 2018 season at 29th in WTA ranking.

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia will join Sharapova in the title race, while Chinese promising duo Wang Xiyu and Wang Xinyu will attract attention from the home crowd.