MEXICO CITY (Reuters)– Hindi gaanong importante kay five-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova na mabawi ang top world ranking sa women’s tennis kumpara noong siya ay mas bata pa, ngunit determinado ang Russian na matalo ang dominanteng player na si Serena Williams.

Tinalo ni Williams si Sharapova, na ranked number two, upang angkinin ang kanyang ika-19 grand slam singles title sa Australian Open noong nakaraang buwan.

Si Sharapova, na unang nakarating sa top spot noong siya ay 18-anyos noong 2005, ay hindi pa natatalo si Williams mula 2004.

“I wouldn’t say it’s as much of a priority as when I was younger,” lahad ni Sharapova sa Reuters kamakalawa sa isang telephone interview mula sa resort town ng Acapulco bago ang Mexico Open.

“She is definitely an opponent that I have had a lot of trouble playing against in the last 10 years and someone that I would love to beat,” aniya.

“I love facing her and I love that challenge. I’m definitely not shy of competing against her.”

Maglalaro si Sharapova sa Mexico Open sa unang pagkakataon, siya ang paboritong manalo kontra sa Italian na si Sara Errani, ranked 16th, at ang 20th-ranked na si Madison Keys sa mga laban ngayong linggo sa Acapulco.

“It’s quite a tough deal. There are a lot of girls that have had big wins, even some that are not seeded, so I look forward to tough competition and of course being the number one seed,” saad ni Sharapova.