Maria has to be careful about returning. I agree that I would like to see her back, just so Serena can kick her ass. I was watching the 2007 Miami R16 Serena vs Maria yesterday, she was having problems with her shoulder there as well. I think I've read some Maria fans say that she injured it during Indian Wells. Maria's serve was really bad in that match. Especially in the 2nd set. But she played most of the season anyways. Though only one match in between the US Open and YEC: Moscow - losing to Vika. I've seem this match recently as well. Again lots of double-faults. But as far as I remember she was fit at the 2007 YEC and at the 2008 Aus Open. But 6 months later, problems again. Shoulder injury is very serious and if her camp is not careful it can end her career or "just" set it significantly back. As much as she is a draw-card in WTA, we don't need her rushing it back and injuring it more.

there's an article in GM, and the tone of it is not very optimistic about Miami. My guess is she doesn't play. Petrova also out of Miami btw. And Srebotnik??
They will seed according to the ranking this week and next week. Daniela is still 35 and needs 3 withdrawals in total of the players above her to be seeded.

the only difference between 25-32 seed and unseeded
is the first round bye

the only difference between 25-32 seed and unseeded
is the first round bye

and as chungwit said, she will face a seed a round latter if she is seeded.
On the other hand, if she is unseeded, she might get lucky and avoid the top8 until R16

I'd like to see Maria Sharapova return to singles because I love tennis and I admire her deeply. She's my second favorite player in women's tennis to Miss Hantuchova.

It's really weird seeing players such as Azarenka, Wozniacki, Cornet, Kanepi beating top players and now almost in the top 10. I guess the reality is Daniela is not playing as well as them at the moment. (Sigh)

Last year in Miami, what round did Dani reached?

Round 32 (third round). She had a bye into the second round, where she beat Milagros Sequera 6-2 6-1, but then lost to her current doubles partner Ai Sugiyama in the third round, 4-6 7-6[8] 5-7.