ISTANBUL, May 20: Russian Maria Sharapova looks set to take part in the French Open after Sunday declaring herself fit for next week's Istanbul Open.

The world No 2 had been suffering from a shoulder injury and her participation at the second Grand Slam of the year had been in doubt.

“After a long break I'm delighted to take part in Istanbul and in competition,” Sharapova said. “If I didn't think I could play well here in Istanbul, I wouldn't have come.”

Sharapova last played in March when she was thrashed 6-1, 6-1 in the Miami quarter-finals by Serena Williams.

The Russian is the top seed in the $200,000 Istanbul tournament where a $250,000 gold and diamond racket will be on offer to the first woman to win it three times.—AFP