QUESTION
What are your feelings after that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA:
So exciting. Uhm, I don't know. It's amazing. You know, sometimes you just -- when you're putting the work in it just seems so, so hard, and you never know when that work's gonna pay off. When you're going through tough moments, you never know when you're going to have good moments.
I'm just so thankful that I got this one.

QUESTION
How would you describe today's match? Was it difficult out there for being off the court for a while?


MARIA SHARAPOVA:
No, not really. I had a really good start to the match, you know, considering the conditions changed so quickly. I warmed up outside. Our little warmup was pretty much outside, and then all of a sudden the roof was closed.

Mentally, you've just got to be prepared for that, and, you know, you're playing an indoor match where you've basically been playing outdoors for the last five matches.

Quarter final Interview with Maria Sharapova after defeating Justine Henin of Belgium earlier today, 6-4 6-0.

Video footage of the interview will be posted in the video section as soon as available.

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Third round Interview with Maria Sharapova after defeating fellow Russian Elena Vesnina in Melbourne today, 6-3 6-0.

For the lazy people among us: The interview will be posted in the video section as soon as available.

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QUESTION
How do you assess your form today as a first‑round match?


MARIA SHARAPOVA:
I played a pretty tricky opponent, someone that I haven't played in a while. You know, the last couple matches that I played in Asia were against pretty big‑hitting girls. So she was definitely a trickier opponent. Also a lefty. You don't see too many of those around these days.

So, you know, I was prepared for it, but I was happy that I was able to follow through.