Video: Sharapova on Seles Connection, "Circus" Shot

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Video: Sharapova on Seles Connection, "Circus" Shot

Maria Sharapova reflected on two of her early influences: Monica Seles and the circus.

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Sharapova's pending fourth round Australian Open showdown against Peng Shuai prompted the world No. 2 to recall the days she played with two hands off both sides.

It was a style rooted in the Russian's ambidexterity—and her affinity for her tennis hero, Monica Seles.

"I did, actually. I did two hands on both sides like at the circus," Sharapova said. "I had a pretty good right-handed forehand as well so I did a little bit of both and Monica Seles was my idol as well."

Interestingly, Seles has kept a close eye on Sharapova's entire career.

In a conference call with the media last week to discuss her exhibition match against Gabriela Sabatini at the 2015 BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden on March 10, Seles was asked which top players of today remind her most of herself.

"Serena [Williams] because of her intensity and because 99 percent of the time she fights for every ball and that's how I tried to play," Seles said. "And Maria Sharapova. I have followed her since she was 9 or 10 years old.

"Maria and Ana [Ivanovic's] match [in the Brisbane final] was just a thriller I was watching every point like I was playing. I'm really curious to see who will hold that level of play for two weeks."

U.S. Open semifinalist Peng Shuai has not sustained a winning level against Sharapova in the past. The Roland Garros champion has won four of five meetings with the 21st-seeded Chinese, permitting just nine games total in their two prior Grand Slam clashes.

"We've always had good matches," Sharapova said. "She's had great success in the last few Slams. She's a bit of an untraditional player with two hands on both sides — that's a little tricky — but I enjoy playing against her. She hits the ball quite flat as well, and deep. So I just have to be ready for those shots to always come back like that. And I'm looking forward to another good match-up."

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