Britain's Melanie South will replace Maria Sharapova in Aussie Open

British No. 2 Melanie South was chosen to replace defending champion Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open after the Russian had withdrawed from the event due to a slowly healing shoulder injury.

This is the first time that the South has gained a direct entry into a Grand Slam, and Anne Keothavong also achieved a direct entry. It is the first time that two British women have gained a direct entry into a Grand Slam since 1993, in Flushing Meadows.

"This is really great for both Mel and British women's tennis, she deserves it so much," South's coach, Simon Walsh, told the LTA website, http://www.lta.org.uk/.

"This is her reward on the back of all the hard work and having made such significant improvements and gains in 2008."