Lauren Davis has been sizing up Maria Sharapova -- quite literally -- before their third-round meeting at the Australian Open, but isn't intimidated by the huge height difference between them.
At almost 5'2", Davis is one of the smallest players on tour, while the more-than-6'1" Sharapova is one of the tallest.
“I was in the locker room and she was just, like, towering over me,” Davis said. “I never realized how tall she was. I never played Maria before, so I am really excited.”
Davis is used to looking up at her opponents, but she doesn't shrink away from the challenge.
"I think everyone I play against is taller than me," she said. "I think my speed and my tenacity make up for the size. I think I serve pretty well for my height."
There is also a big rankings difference between the two. Sharapova, at No. 5, is almost a hundred spots ahead of No. 103 Davis. That, more than the players’ heights, will be the story when the two play for the first time.