Sharapova shuns criticism of her high-decibel grunting

Notoriously noisy Maria Sharapova slapped down questions over her loud shrieking yesterday after she was singled out for criticism during a push for quieter women's tennis at the Australian Open.


Focussed:u00a0u00a0 Sharapova serves during yesterday's quarter-final. Pic/AFP

Sharapova, described by rival player Agnieszka Radwanska as "just too loud", told a questioner that that "no one important enough" had told her to be quiet.

"You've obviously asked me this question before," said Sharapova. "I've heard it a few times over my career. You've watched me grow up, you've watched me play tennis. I've been the same over the course of my career.
No one important enough has told me to change or do something different. I've answered it many times before, I'm sure I'll answer it many more times ahead. I'm OK with that."

Earlier, Sharapova cruised into the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-3 win over 56th-ranked compatriot Ekaterinau00a0 Makarova.

Sharapova next faces Czech Petra Kvitova, who beat Italy's Sara Errani 6-4, 6-4. The semi-final will be a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final, which Kvitova won 6-3, 6-4 to claim her first grand slam title.