Australian Open 2013: Focus was key to win, says Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova believes that her “focus” was key to her straight-sets victory over Kirsten Flipkens as the Russian reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The 25-year-old second seed wasted little time beating her Belgian opponent 6-1 6-0 to set up a last-eight clash with fellow Russian and 19th seed Ekaterina Makarova.

The world No2 has been in fine form in Melbourne, only dropping five games in her run to the quarter-finals.

And the French Open champion says that her success is down to keeping focused when it matters.

“It’s really about keeping your focus, no matter what the score is, no matter if you’re up,” she said. “I didn’t start the match great.

“I was facing a different type of opponent today and I was making a few more mistakes than I would have liked in the beginning.

“But after I held at 2-1 I really started making her play a little bit more. I started really getting under the ball and being aggressive and just had a little bit more energy which really helped me and I carried that throughout the match.

“It’s always much easier said than done to keep that focus, especially when you have a first set.

“And maybe in the end of the second your opponent can start going for it a little bit more. She started serving and volleying the last game, which she wasn’t really doing too much.

“All of a sudden, especially in women’s tennis, things can change really quickly. It’s really about sticking to your game-plan, being consistent, but playing your game.”