MELBOURNE, Australia – Maria Sharapova leaned back and pumped her arms. She ripped her elbows back and forth, screaming after her victory. Four pumps, five – she rocked forward – six pumps. More.
Sharapova had just defeated Venus Williams 6-1, 6-3 on Friday, her first victory over the seven-time major winner in a Grand Slam. This was a match clearly worth celebrating, but it was if Sharapova had won the Australian Open title eight days early.
“I was just really pumped,” she said. “Why shouldn’t I be?”
After back-to-back 6-0, 6-0 wins in the first two rounds – the first time that happened at a major since 1985 – Sharapova has conceded the fewest number of games en route to the fourth round at the Australian Open since Steffi Graf did so 24 years ago. Graf also lost only four games in her first three matches on her way to the second of her three consecutive titles in Melbourne.
Sharapova knows she must stay on top of her game. Another Williams could be waiting.
Asked if she was thinking about a showdown with the younger of the Williams sisters, Sharapova said: “She’s on the other side of the draw, and other players are on the other side of the draw as well.” That means they can meet only in the final.
“Until you get to that stage, and if you do, if you’re facing each other,” she said, “that’s the point when you’re thinking about that particular opponent.” – AP
