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Maria Sharapova has completed her preparations ahead of Saturday’s Australian Open women’s singles final and says she is determined to go one better than last year.
Speaking at her press conference a day out from her second successive appearance in an Australian Open final, a relaxed Sharapova says she is ready for another crack at winning the crown.”(I feel) really good. I’m really excited,” Sharapova said.”I forgot that final a long time ago,” she said.Sharapova added that she is feeling healthy and is excited about the opportunity she has to atone for last year’s disappointment.”(I feel) really good. I’m glad I get the chance to go out there again in the final and give myself another opportunity to be the champion here. While many pundits have expressed their surprise at the ease with which the 20-year-old Russian has paved her path to the final, Sharapova says that she is probably the only one not shocked with her form.”I know what tennis I’m capable of producing. I’ve shown it before. I’ve done it in my career already,” she said.”I’ve won two Grand Slams. I’ve been No. 1 in the world. I didn’t do it just by waking up and eating ice cream all day. “I’ve worked for all the things that I have achieved. I know that I’m capable of achieving more. “I had the opportunity to train in the off season for about five weeks, really with high intensity, you know, working really hard, playing in the morning, having lunch, going back out on the court, it was hard work,” she said.”But, I mean, the hard work will always pay off. If it’s not next week, maybe it’s next year. You never know.”
