The last time Maria Sharapova hit Montreal, she was a 17-year-old ingenue who had just shocked the tennis world by winning Wimbledon.
She entered the 2004 Rogers Cup at the last minute as a wild card, won her first match, then fell to compatriot Vera Zvonareva on a chilly August night.
Here's how long ago that was in tennis terms: on the same day, Jennifer Capriati defeated Mary Pierce.
Sharapova hasn't been back since - in Montreal or Toronto. But this year might be the year.
Tourney officials announced yesterday that Sharapova, 21 and ranked No. 2 in the world after a brief stay at No. 1 during the French Open, will join French Open champion and new No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams as confirmed entries in this year's Rogers Cup women's event, to be held July 26 to Aug. 3 at the Jarry Park Tennis Centre.







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