Sharapova is playing with house money - for the rest of the year.
Sharapova has nothing to defend here at the US Open, as well as for the rest of the year - last year she missed all tournaments after Cincinnati due to a right shoulder injury. And if her season so far this year is anything to go by - she's No.1 on the Road To Singapore leaderboard, the year-long journey to the WTA Finals - she's a leading contender for the year-end World No.1 ranking as well.!