A jaded Maria Sharapova may take another break from the game after being beaten 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 by fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semifinals of the Pacific Life Open in California.
The Australian Open champion took a brief holiday this month after realising she had clocked just under 50,000 miles since the start of the year.
Sharapova, 20, said after her winning streak of 18 matches was ended: "I'm playing a lot of tennis, been flying a lot.
"It's pretty much been non-stop and takes a toll on your body and mind.
"You feel like you have to go out on the court and spend a lot of emotion and energy out there, and sometimes you just don't have it for every match."
Asked when she was planning to take time off, the Russian world No.5 replied with a smile: "I don't know, maybe next week. I'm going to play it by ear. My body is kind of hurting a little bit."
|
JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE