It was post surgery that her form slumped, losing the August finals to Victoria Azarenka at the Stanford Classic defeat by current U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters at the Cincinnati Open, but she has been heartened by recent victories over top players.

Until late July, Sharapova had not beaten a player this season ranked in the top 25, but in the past month has toppled world number six Elena Dementieva and double grand slam victor Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Sharapova is hoping her recent form helps her erase the memories from last year's U.S. Open where she struggled with a different service motion due to surgery and was upset by U.S. teenager Melanie Oudin in the third round.

She has done away with her abbreviated service motion since and has been serving at pre-surgery speeds during recent tournaments where she has shown glimpses of her former self.
 
While Sharapova said Wimbledon is her favourite tournament, she is is looking forward to returning to the bright lights of New York for the U.S. Open, which she won in 2006.

"In New York it's all about the buzz, the craziness, the rivalries and the night matches," Sharapova said.

"It's exhilarating. I want to perform my best at the Open and peak there.