Sharapova feels stronger than ever

Maria Sharapova returns to her favourite tournament next week feeling stronger than ever and confident she can repeat her 2004 success.

The Russian surprised many people, including herself, by reaching the French Open semi-finals earlier this month, on one of her least favourite surfaces and while still recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined her for two months.

"I think that definitely gives me a lot of confidence moving on to the grass season," the 20-year-old world number two said.

"If my shoulder holds up and goes the way it went the last two weeks then I'm definitely really confident."

On grass she is a far cry from the 'cow on ice' description she gave herself on clay in Paris and her record at Wimbledon of two semi-final appearances since her win backs up her belief that she is a top contender this year.

"Grass definitely suits my game. With the power and the big first serve I feel I can get a good start on the point," she said.

Since winning Wimbledon as a 17-year-old, Sharapova has worked on the physical aspect of her game and gone from what she described as "a little skinny girl the size of spaghetti" to a more powerful-looking player.

"That's something that I've been working on for the last few years and I feel like I'm getting there. Year by year I feel stronger than last year so I've definitely made progress," said Sharapova, who won the US Open last year.

HOSTILE CROWD

Booed by sections of the crowd in Paris following perceived gamesmanship during one match, Sharapova said she expects onlookers in southwest London to show much less hostility. "The crowd in London is definitely more traditional. I think they're respectful and very proper," she said.

Even if they should turn against her, she will not let it bother her.

"I don't usually focus on the crowd because when I'm playing tennis I'm in my own little bubble and that's when I play my best when I go without any other distractions."

She said the players posing the greatest threat to her title bid could be the lesser known ones rather than the big names on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

"Sometimes girls that have nothing to lose are the most dangerous because they come out swinging," she said.

Sharapova admitted that while a second Wimbledon crown would never be as special as the first, it would still mean a lot.

"I haven't held up that trophy in three years so I definitely want to put my name back on the board and update it."