Roland Garros: Serena Williams lets rip at Maria Sharapova after setting up fourth-round showdown
American reignited her feud Maria Sharapova ahead of their last-16 clash at Roland Garros
SERENA WILLIAMS let rip at Maria Sharapova after setting up the mother of all clashes with her old rival.
The tennis supermum booked a fourth-round meeting with the Russian – their first since January 2016 - by beating world
No 11 Julia Goerges 6-3 6-4, following Sharapova’s 6-2 6-1 demolition of No 6 seed Karolina Pliskova.
And Williams slammed the Russian for her autobiography, in which she talked about Williams crying after losing the 2004 Wimbledon final to her and devoted a lot of space to talking about their relationship.
Williams said: “I think the book was 100% hearsay, at least all the stuff I read and the quotes that I read, which was a little bit disappointing.
“It's a Wimbledon final, you know. So it's just, like, I think it would be more shocking if I wasn't in tears.
“I think what happens there should definitely maybe stay there and not necessarily talk about it in a not-so-positive way in a book.
“And then the book was a lot about me. I was, like, ‘Oh, okay. I didn't expect to be reading a book about me, that wasn't necessarily true’.
“I didn't know she looked up to me that much or was so involved in my career.
“I don't have any negative feelings towards her, which again, was a little disappointing to see in that hearsay book.
“Especially having a daughter, I feel like negativity is taught. One of the things I always say, I feel like women, especially, should bring each other up.
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“You know, a lot of people always assume that I feel a different way and it's not true.
“You know, if anything, I feel like we should encourage each other, and the success of one female should be the inspiration to another, and I have said that a thousand times.”
Williams’ words set up Monday’s match perfectly.
She and Sharapova have not met since the Australian Open quarter final of 2016, after which Sharapova tested positive for banned drug meldonium.
The Russian’s 15-month suspension and Williams’ absence to have her first child delayed them renewing their on-court rivalry, which the American has dominated with 19 wins out of 21 meetings and her last defeat coming in 2004.
Sharapova said: “Well, it's been a while, and I think a lot has happened in our lives for the both of us in very different ways.
“To be able to put myself back in these positions and to not shy away from these moments, to come out on centre court and want the challenge of moving forward and to be able to face Serena, I think that speaks for itself.
“No matter the record against her, I still come into this tournament and want to put myself in the position to play against the best.”