Sharapova primed battle in Rome
Five-time major winner Maria Sharapova feels her efforts in Madrid have given her a solid fitness base.
Maria Sharapova reckons her run to the Madrid Open semi-finals has left her battle-hardened for the remainder of the clay-court season.
Preparing to embark on the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome, Sharapova - a two-time winner in the Italian capital - said she was fitter for her deep run in Spain, where she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The world number two has reached the French Open final the past three years running, reigning at Roland Garros in 2012 and 2014, and is confident she is in good shape ahead of her Rome opener against Jarmila Gajdosova on Tuesday.
"I think it was the start really for me of my clay-court season [in Madrid]," Sharapova said.
"My preparations started a little bit later this year than the previous one.
"I really just have to take my time and just get into a good groove, it's been a while since I played that many matches within a span of six days, so it was good to feel the physicality of it all again.
"I think the last time was in the Australian Open, so it was good to kind of be on a roll and playing those matches. Came up short against Svetlana but she played a great match and obviously looking to this week as this will be the final preparation for the French Open."
The Russian added: "I think mentally and physically I've improved my approach to knowing that I can withstand longer rallies.
"The recovery is much easier for me now, obviously it kind of took years and the dedication to enjoy the moment and enjoy the battle.
"You know that you're really going to have to earn it and work for it and I appreciate that feeling now maybe, whereas before I felt like I had to save myself a little bit."
And Sharapova said if her French Open title win in 2014 was anything to go by, she would need all the fitness advantages to get herself to the decider for a fourth year in a row in Paris.
"I think those two weeks came to an end after a very tough and physical [French Open] final," she said.
"As I said, one of the toughest finals that I've ever been a part of and to have that in a grand slam environment was extremely special, very tough in the moment.
"Simona [Halep] made it very tough for me to win that title but I really felt like I, from the very beginning of the match, I knew that I would have to work for it and I did.
"I think that makes it extra special."