The Bank of the West Classic, a tournament in the six-week-long Olympus US Open Series, began in earnest at 10:00 (PST), yesterday morning. The event, which is women-only, and has been since the inaugural match was played in 1971, will feature Grand Slam hopefuls, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, and Maria Sharapova, among others.

Sharapova, who contested the final of the Wimbledon Championships with Czech player, Petra Kvitova, earlier this month, is hoping to find Williams' name on her match schedules at Stamford University, this week.

"I love playing against [Serena]", the Russian said. "I don't have a great record against her, and I would love to change that".

The two players have met in competition just once since Williams won Wimbledon in 2010, at Sharapova's expense. Those following the Women's US Open betting odds will be keen to see how they get on if the pair do meet.

The American currently has a 6-2 lead over her rival in singles matches. Williams has also claimed more US Open titles than Sharapova, winning the Grand Slam in 1999, 2002, and 2008. The Russian, on the other hand, defeated Belgian player, Justine Henin, to claim her first, and only major, at Flushing Meadows, in 2006.

However, if Williams were to falter in the early stages of the Bank of the West Classic, Sharapova would be just as happy to face Victoria Azarenka, ranked fourth in the world, or France's Marion Bartoli, who sits in ninth position on the WTA Singles Rankings.

Sharpova is hoping the Betfair tennis US Open fans get to see a few grudge matches along the way.

She said: "I think that's what women's tennis really needs, to be able to create those rivalries [between players]. They're exciting for me, and they're exciting for the sport".

The Bank of the West Classic, the second of ten events in the US Open Series, continues until July 31.