Maria Sharapova talks up aggressive Eugenie Bouchard ahead of quarter-final clash

Maria Sharapova has talked up the aggressive qualities of Australian Open quarter-final opponent Eugenie Bouchard.

The pair are due to meet in the last-eight phase next week, with Bouchard overcoming Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu and Sharapova defeating Chinese star Shuai Peng in the fourth round.

"We had a tough three-setter in the French Open where I had to come from one set down and she has been playing incredibly well," Sharapova is quoted as saying by BT Sport.

"I have a tough match ahead of me but I always look forward to those matches.

"She's a pretty aggressive player. She stays really close to the line, she likes to dictate the points. I feel that's where she's hurt a lot of players and been really successful."

Sharapova had to deal with a scare in the second round as she saved two match points to beat Alexandra Panova.