By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The expression "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" usually refers to the weather. But in the case of the WTA last month, the wave of unexpected news and results felt like a turbulent, surprise storm with its effects lingering even after the clouds clear.

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The announcement by Maria Sharapova on March 7 that she had failed a drugs test certainly hit tennis fans like a tornado out of nowhere. While the ramifications on Sharapova's career long-term are still uncertain, the short-term impact is clear. The Russian superstar is currently suspended and still waiting to find out when her hearing will take place. While a current rumor is that it might take place in June, don't be surprised if it's actually much later in the year.

Even if Sharapova is cleared and allowed to come back, it’s looking less and less likely she will compete at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, or the Summer Games in Rio. Sharapova's absence will perhaps pave the way for yet another first-time major winner as we saw in Angelique Kerber down in Melbourne. Sharapova's high profile presence will be missed, but as we've already seen at Indian Wells and Miami, the show must go on.

Speaking of that Melbourne final, March also saw the return of World No. 1 Serena Williams to action in both Indian Wells and Miami. Williams reached the Indian Wells final where she lost to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka. In Miami, Williams entered as defending champion on what has been a "home" event for her. But Williams struggled in the early rounds before falling to 2006 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

With Williams still not having won a title this season, there's been concern that not only is Williams's tight grip over the women's game slipping, but that she's getting closer to the end of her career sooner than expected.

Despite the alarm, Kuznetsova herself offered a more rational view of the situation.

“I mean, you say drama when somebody, No. 1, which is probably one of the greatest in the history of athletes didn't win four slams. This is drama. For me this would be miracle of the year. For us it's drama that she didn't win the fourth Grand Slam of the year," Kuznetsova said on Williams. "She struggled a little bit probably because she lost Australian Open, but, I mean, she is still No. 1 and she still plays great. I don't see much to be depressed about.”

The truth if anybody else but Williams started their year reaching two big finals, including at a major, it would be considered an incredible start. That Williams has done the same, but has not yet won a title, makes it look like a disaster, even when it's really not. And it's not like this is the first time we've seen Williams look sluggish and out of sorts before putting herself back together later in the year.

Williams, who has won everything more or less, will put her focus back on another Olympic Gold Medal and possibly another Wimbledon title. If she wins one, or both, then these recent "setbacks" will be largely forgotten. Williams continues to chase history and it's at the majors where she will likely shine again, even if she doesn’t seem as dialed in at other WTA events, similar to how she was earlier in her career.

How Williams does at the majors, and if she hangs on to her No. 1 ranking, may well be determined by Azarenka. The Belarusian proved that she is currently the player to beat by winning the rare Indian Wells and Miami double. After dealing with injuries and early losses the last two years, Azarenka proved that she truly is back and ready to take over as No. 1.

Azarenka has lost only one match this year and that was to Kerber during the German's run to the Australian Open title. Azarenka overall is fitter, hitting her returns sharper and going for bigger serves than she ever did. But there's also been edginess to Azarenka, especially in her service games where she feels the pressure to go for more. How Azarenka balances her emotions in those moments moving forward could be huge, especially if she faces Williams again.

Will Azarenka or even Kerber threaten Williams for the top spot, especially with the American veteran defending both Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles? Azarenka herself is ready for the challenge.

“We'll see what happens. When I say that I believe in myself and I believe I'm good, there is no other way to go on the court. If you're not going on the court feeling you're the best player, just don't go,” Azarenka said just after winning Miami. “Serena is, I have said it many times, one of the players who makes me push myself and with the stats and records she owns pretty much all the records there. She's the toughest competitor there is. And for me there is a great challenge to have her, because it always will push me to improve.”

It may have felt a bit like "March Madness", to borrow another popular phrase from this time of year, last month in the WTA. But now we enter "April Anticipation" as we wait to see what happens next with Azarenka, Sharapova, and Williams and how they continue to shape the course of this year's WTA season.