Russian beauty Maria Sharapova is hardly living the life of a superstar in Auckland.

In every sporting superstar's life you can point to a flashpoint, where their life made the jump from ordinary to extraordinary.

Maria Sharapova is the difference between a highly anticipated week at Stanley St and a fairly flat ASB Classic field.

The world's highest-paid female athlete, glamorous tennis star Maria Sharapova, has arrived in Auckland for the ASB Classic.

A group is set to protest against Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer playing at the ASB Classic for a third straight year.

Tennis Auckland is confident facilities will be up to standard in time for the ASB Classic and Heineken Open next month.

Marina Erakovic is hoping next year's ASB Classic will provide the launch pad to get her tennis career back on track.

The unexpected entry of former world No 1 Dinara Safina into next year's ASB Classic has bolstered the highest-profile line-up.

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova has been confirmed for next year's ASB Classic.

Maria Sharapova was named this week as the marquee player for the 2011 ASB Classic and is easily the biggest drawcard in the tournament's history.

The signing of Russian star Maria Sharapova has added glamour and grunt to New Zealand's premier women's tennis tournament.

Triple Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova will play at the ASB Classic tournament in Auckland next year. Photos / AP, NZH

New Zealand's top women's tennis players may have to playoff for a spot in the ASB Classic main draw this summer.