MOSCOW, September 10 (RIA Novosti) - Maria Sharapova, who was beaten 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 by Belgian Kim Clijsters in the U.S. Open semis yesterday, puts her defeat down to lack of physical power.
Clijsters was physically very well prepared, Sharapova said. In a post-match interview, when asked to describe her opponent's game, she said: "great athleticism... she's a great athlete. She moves amazing, amazingly. I mean, that's a big plus in tennis... she makes you hit an extra ball.
On her own physical form, she said: "it's pretty tough because physically I still have to get a lot better and I have to play these three-setters. The points are going to go on and on and on.
"This is not something that's going to happen overnight. I'm only 18 and this is going to take time.
"My body is still growing and I'm still adjusting to my own body."
