The blonde Sharapova -- billed the new Anna Kournikova -- was one of eight women given berths in the main draw of the grasscourt Grand Slam.

Five went to British players ranked too low to automatically qualify.

Australia's Samantha Stosur received one as part of a reciprocal deal with the Australian Open while Corina Morariu, the American player who has recovered from a rare form of leukaemia, has also been welcomed into the main draw.

Sharapova has been making headlines in Edgbaston all week, filling the void created by the departure of Kournikova who has returned to Miami for treatment on a persistent back injury.

The Florida-based 16-year-old, ranked 125 in the world, was warned at the grasscourt tournament this week for her excessive grunting after a complaint from opponent Nathalie Dechy.

Sharapova agreed to curb her screams but still romped through and is now in the quarter-finals.

The wildcard is a reward for the player who won through three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw in both the Australian and French Opens earlier this year.

Seven of the eight men's wildcards have been given to British players leaving one remaining spot to be awarded at a later date.

Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 champion, is currently ranked 681st in the world after struggling with injuries.

Organisers gave the Croatian a wildcard the year he won the tournament and he will be pleading for another chance this year.

As he missed his defence last year through injury, it seems likely organisers will agree.

The Williams sisters Venus and Serena have been given a wildcard into the women's doubles while the Lapentti brothers Nicolas and Giovanni were given a spot in the men's doubles.