Easy for Sharapova

Russian star defends depth of women's game after victory

Maria Sharapova dropped just two games in cruising into the third round of the Australian Open - and then found herself defending in the women's game.

Sharapova thrashed Jamie Hampton 6-0 6-1 on the Rod Laver Arena, a result which followed a similar demolition of Gisela Dulko in round one.

The second-round clash was closer than the scoreline suggests - Hampton reached deuce in four of the six games in the opening set - and Sharapova was irritated by suggestions there were too few serious challenges in the early rounds of grand slam events.

She said: "You never know what you're going to get. Sometimes we come out and we play three-set matches from the beginning and then it's a question of 'You're top five in the world, why is someone challenging you to three sets from the beginning?'

"I think it's just an excuse to make another story. That's really what it all comes down to.

Goal

"My goal is to go into a match and play my game. If I do it well enough and come out winning 6-0, 6-1, then I've done a good job."

Sharapova, champion in Melbourne back in 2008, also spoke of targeting this year's Olympic title in London.

She added: "This year is a big year for me because I'll be playing in the Olympics, which has been a dream of mine since I was a young girl.

"Growing up in Russia, tennis wasn't a big sport back then. It was all about being an Olympian, especially the winter sports.

"Fortunately we've been able to change that a little bit and tennis has become extremely popular back in Russia.

"This year to have a long grasscourt season will be fun."




Last Updated: January 19, 2012 6:17am
http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/australian-open-2012/story/23800/7441441