Tennis: Forget the 'stalker', here's Maria's real problem

Maria Sharapova of Russia leaves Rod Laver Arena after her fourth round loss to Andrea Petkovic. Photo / AP

Never mind the laughable idea of a journalistic stalker, Maria Sharapova's biggest problem last night was on the tennis court, where German Andrea Petkovic blasted the former Australian Open champion out of Melbourne in straight sets.

Petkovic, the 30th seed, upset 14th seed Sharapova, of Russia, 6-2 6-3 in their fourth-round clash in one hour and 19 minutes.

The Russian had earlier played down the furore that erupted over comments that a New Zealand journalist was stalking her.

Her comments about being stalked last week by James McOnie caused a media frenzy - with the story making headlines around the world.

Read James McOnie's side of the story

Various news agencies - especially in the United States - said Sharapova had been "freaked out" by the "uncomfortable exchange" with McOnie. The Russian star, speaking before her fourth-round match yesterday, told the Herald that it was all taken out of context.

"I think that [it] just got a little carried away with people reading the transcript and not showing up to the press conference," she said. "I don't know - it's a little shady."

There are more than 750 accredited journalists at the Australian Open this year but few bother to attend media sessions. Most pick up the quotes after the interview and interpret from there.

Sharapova did appear genuinely surprised by McOnie's presence last Sunday - and was taken aback when he unfurled the "I am not a stalker" sign during their second encounter on Monday.

But the comments seemed to be mainly part of the banter between the two, and the 23-year-old had clearly tired of the topic later in the week.

She confirmed to the Herald that no official complaint had been laid, and that while she did accuse McOnie of stalking her, it was meant in jest.

However, the reaction had been no joke. It was the talk of the media room and while some journalists found it amusing, others thought the weird line of questioning was "disruptive" and "inappropriate".

A google search on "Maria Sharapova Stalker" last night attracted more than over 1.87 million results.

Tournament organisers confirmed that if any complaint had been forthcoming, McOnie's accreditation would probably have been removed. A WTA spokesperson said such incidents had been rare, and the last time a journalist was expelled was when one asked a player for an autograph - which is forbidden - during an interview.

It is understood that if McOnie plans to attend the Australian Open next year, he will be required to attend a meeting, where various protocols will need to be laid down and agreed.

It is the first time 23-year-old Petkovic has made the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament.

Sharapova had no answers to Petkovic, who dominated from the outset.

Save for a brief blip on her first match point when leading 5-1 in the second as Sharapova rallied to break serve and threaten a fightback, Petkovic was clearly the better player and claimed victory on her third match point.