SHARAPOVA IS MAKING NO. 1 HER TOP PRIORITY.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

CARSON - Maria Sharapova sprints across the baseline, getting worked sideline to sideline by coach Robert Lansdorp. If she hesitates for a second or shows the slightest bit of fatigue, Lansdorp shouts a reminder.

``When you get to be No. 1, you want to stay there, right?''

The 18-year-old Russian phenom could reach the No. 1 ranking in the world for the first time this week at the JPMorgan Chase Open. With current No. 1 Lindsay Davenport withdrawing from the tournament Friday because of an injury, top-seeded Sharapova can take over the top spot by reaching the semifinals.

Following a first-round bye Monday, she begins the quest at 7 tonight in a second-round match against friend and sometimes doubles partner Maria Kirilenko of Russia, a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 winner Monday over Marissa Irvin.

Sharapova has dreamed of this opportunity since her father, Yuri, borrowed $700 and brought the then 7-year-old from Russia to Florida in 1994 with the purpose of training to become a professional tennis player.

Now that the dream is approaching reality, Sharapova reflects on the words of her coach.

``Of course just to know that you have become No. 1 is amazing but I want to be able to stay at the top,'' Sharapova said. ``That would mean a lot more to me.''

Sharapova could become the first Russian player and fifth-youngest woman to reach the milestone. Martina Hingis hit No. 1 at age 16 in 1997.

Elena Dementieva, ranked No. 6 in the world, spoke last year about not considering Sharapova a true Russian because she lives in the United States. However, she now embraces what Sharapova is trying to accomplish for Russian tennis.

``I think that's the big idea, to be No. 1,'' Dementieva said. ``Especially for Russian tennis to have someone reach a big goal that we never had before. And the way she's played the past two years, I think she really deserves it.''

Sharapova already is the first Russian to win at Wimbledon. She became the third-youngest winner of that prestigious event when she upset then two-time defending champion Serena Williams in 2004.

With that victory, she broke free from the Anna Kournikova comparisons of being a Russian tennis player with model looks to be known as much for her skill on the court as for her pretty face.

This is her first tournament since this year's Wimbledon - more than a month ago - because she has been rehabbing a sore lower back. She could have gone for the top ranking last week in Carlsbad.

``I want to make sure that whenever I become No. 1 I'm healthy and ready to stay No. 1,'' Sharapova said. ``For me to become No. 1 and keep it for one week doesn't mean anything.''

Kim Clijsters celebrated with chocolate cake at Home Depot Center after receiving the No. 1 ranking for the first time when she won the tournament two years ago. Clijsters says Sharapova shouldn't expect things to be too different once she has the top spot.

``When I became No. 1, there were a few more things asked of me when I go to tournaments and a lot more media requests and everything, but that's it for me,'' Clijsters said. ``For me personally, it didn't change much. You just have that on your list of achievements.''

But it's definitely an exclusive club. Only 14 players have held the No. 1 spot since the women's rankings began in 1975.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

JPMORGAN CHASE OPEN

Where: Home Depot Center, Carson.

When: Today-Sunday (11 a.m. and 7 p.m. today-Friday; 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Sunday).

TV: ESPN, 1 p.m. Friday; 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. The Tennis Channel, 10 p.m. Friday; 4 p.m. Saturday; 8 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com or 1-877-234-8425.

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Photo:

(color) Maria Sharapova, 18, can become fifth-youngest woman to be ranked No. 1 this week.

Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

Box:

JPMORGAN CHASE OPEN (see text)