MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 00:11:49| >> :600:355444513:355444513:

Maria Sharapova prefers matches over practice

Sharapova prefers matches over practice
© PA Photos
Maria Sharapova insists that she prefers playing tournament matches to practice.

Maria Sharapova has insisted that she enjoys playing matches in a tournament rather than spending hours on the practice court.

The number two seed beat Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-0 yesterday to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Sharapova has dropped just five games in her opening four matches and although she has only spent four hours on court, she feels no need for extra practice.

"The work you put in before a tournament is the most important," said Sharapova.

"What you do in the off-season, you're not going to put this work in during tournaments.

"I actually love coming to tournaments. You practise less and just go and play matches. It's the best-case scenario."

Sharapova will play Ekaterina Makarova in a repeat of last year's quarter-final clash.

ID:65193: cacheID:65193:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1898:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Russia's Maria Sharapova hits a forehand return in her fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship on January 20, 2013
Read Next:
Sharapova focused on Makarova clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1pm
Bublik
Carballes Baena
10am
Auger-Aliassime
Mannarino
10am
Bautista Agut
Khachanov
10am
Cachin
Tiafoe
10am
De Minaur
Nadal
10am
Dimitrov
Mensik
10am
Jarry
Cobolli
10am
Kecmanovic
Ruud
10am
Kotov
Thompson
10am
Lehecka
Medjedovic
10am
Machac
Shelton
10am
Medvedev
Arnaldi
10am
Monteiro
Tsitsipas
10am
Norrie
Fonseca
10am
Purcell
Korda
10am
Sinner
Sonego
10am
Azarenka
Sorribes Tormo
10am
Annie Fernandez
Jabeur
10am
Gauff
Yastremska
10am
Haddad Maia
Navarro
10am
Keys
Samsonova
10am
Ostapenko
Lourdes Carle
10am
Stephens
Sakkari
10am
Swiatek
Cirstea


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!