STUTTGART: Russia's Maria Sharapova returns to Estonia's Anett Kontaveit during the quarterfinal at the WTA Tennis Grand Prix.
Kristina Mladenovic ramped up the pressure on Maria Sharapova ahead of their Suttgart semi-final when she claimed the Russian superstar was getting "extra help" in her comeback from a 15-month doping ban.
We havent played each other before, so the first six games were just about working each other out.
"I don't have anything to say - I am way above that", she told reporters when asked to respond to Bouchard's comments.
Laura Siegemund, a finalist past year, defeated 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-3, and Carla Suarez-Navarro beat another Russian, Elena Vesnina, 6-2, 6-4.
Earlier this month, French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Bernard Giudicelli had hinted at their reservations to give the 30-year-old player a wild card entry which she would require as her world ranking has nearly disappeared during her absence.
Sharapova has already been slammed by other players who are unhappy that the five-time Grand Slam champion has been given wild-card entries to some tournaments.
There has been nothing but support for the Russian from the Stuttgart crowd with a few positive banners around the indoor arena.
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Sharapova pumped her fist and let out a scream as she converted her second set point.
She earned her first break points a game later, powering a crosscourt forehand victor to grab the first set.
The draw has been kind to Sharapova - the frailties of the sport's leading lights mean she has not yet faced a top-30 player - but she is playing exceptionally well after 15 months free of competition.
Sharapova was again impressive against plucky Kontaveit, firing down four aces, 28 winners and hitting just two double faults.
Ahead of the Women's Stuttgart Open, the Canadian star didn't hold back against her former idol.
"Words and quotes and articles is not what matters in life, I have learned that very well over the past year", she said.
On Wednesday, after she won her first match back over Roberta Vinci, Sharapova let out a laugh at The Sun's presence in Stuttgart.
"It was definitely great to come out and play matches and being in the quarter-finals here again is quite special".
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