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Victorious Sharapova vows to make clay mark in Paris

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-06-01 08:27

Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after winning against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska during their women's fourth-round match at the French Open at Roland Garros on Monday. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - Maria Sharapova has vowed to put years of claycourt under-achievement behind her, starting with victory over German 15th seed Andrea Petkovic in Wednesday's French Open quarter-finals.

Sharapova, the seventh seed, has tasted success at Wimbledon (2004), the US Open (2006) and the Australian Open (2008), but her best Roland Garros showing remains a straight sets semifinal defeat by Ana Ivanovic in 2007.

The former world number one is a different prospect on clay these days, however, and demonstrated her newly-acquired ease on the dirt by triumphing at the Rome Masters earlier this month.

With the top three seeds already eliminated at Roland Garros, Sharapova will also know that this year's tournament may represent her best chance of becoming the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam.

"I've always said it would be challenging to win here but I've always worked hard on preparing myself as best as I could," said Sharapova, after a 7-6 (4), 7-5 defeat of Polish 12th seed Agnieszka Radwanska in round four.

"Physically, and mentally; knowing that you have to be more patient here than maybe at other points in other tournaments.

"It's just going out there and believing in what you've done before and what you've prepared."

Sharapova has a 3-1 win-loss record against Petkovic, who stunned the Russian in straight sets in the last 16 at this year's Australian Open before Sharapova gained her revenge in the semifinals of the Miami Masters.

"We played in Melbourne and then in Miami, a month or so ago," said Sharapova.

"She's a very tough opponent. She's also quite good on this surface and moves well, and she'll use that to her advantage. It'll be tough but I'll go out and try to win that match."

Petkovic's 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Russian 25th seed Maria Kirilenko equaled her best Grand Slam performance, following her run to the last eight in Melbourne.

A win over Sharapova would take her into the last four at a major for the very first time, but the 23-year-old world No 12 said she was simply thrilled to be moving in such exalted circles.

"Any quarterfinal in a Grand Slam is going to be a test," said Petkovic, who won her second career singles title at Strasbourg earlier this month.

"I've played her (Sharapova) twice this year already. She's a great champion and I admire her a lot, both as an athlete and how she handles herself.

"I think she represents women's tennis really well. I feel honored to be in the quarterfinals at all and even more so playing such a champion.

"I'll have to play my best claycourt tennis to beat her."

Agence France-Presse