Sharapova hungry for more

Maria Sharapova immediately set her sights on improving her trophy collection yet further after landing her second grand slam title at the US Open.

The Russian overcame favourite Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-4 6-4 in the early hours of yesterday morning to add another major to her 2004 Wimbledon triumph.

It was a success the 19-year-old attributed to an improved fitness regime and she insisted she would not be resting on her laurels.

Sharapova, who had been the third seed at Flushing Meadows, said: “I guess I’m not here to compliment my own self.

“I’m thrilled that I just won my second major, (but) at the end of the day, I’m not done yet. I feel like I’m not done. I still have years to go in my career where I feel like I am going to improve and I am going to become a better player than I am today.”

Sharapova revealed she stepped up her fitness work after the disappointment of losing to Amelie Mauresmo in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

“After Wimbledon I took one week off, and came back to Los Angeles and I worked with one fitness coach for seven days,” she said.

“I probably spent maybe two or three hours of the day doing fitness, and maybe an hour or so hitting the ball.

“The week after that, I started playing more tennis. I played twice a day. I played some matches, did a little bit of fitness, just alone, did some things that I took from the week before. I went into San Diego and I thought I moved better than I’ve moved in my career.”

Henin-Hardenne, who was playing in her fourth grand slam final of the year, was impressed with Sharapova’s assertiveness on the court.

“I couldn’t play that aggressively,” the Belgian said. “She had a lot of time, and she was going for the winners. She did come to the net; I didn’t.

“Sometimes it is like this. Even if you know you have to do it, it’s not easy to do it in every match. So she’s been brave, and more than me. That made a big difference.”