Sharapova to play in Birmingham in June

Mar 17, 2010 - 12:29 PM BIRMINGHAM, England(AP) -- Maria Sharapova has signed up to play in the Wimbledon grass-court warmup in Birmingham in June.

The 13th-ranked Russian is a two-time champion at the AEGON Classic, having won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005.

Sharapova said she is looking forward to playing "at this important time in the grass court season."

The Birmingham tournament runs from June 7-13 at the Edgbaston Priory. Wimbledon starts June 21.

Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 for her first Grand Slam title. She has been bother by injuries in the past year.