Defeat not a setback, says Sharapova

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) Positive thinking and the prospect of some retail therapy lifted Maria Sharapova's spirits after her Wimbledon semi-final defeat by Amelie Mauresmo.

Sharapova, the 2004 champion, suffered her fifth grand slam semi-final defeat in succession when she lost 6-3 3-6 6-2 to the world number one on Centre Court but refused to be downcast.

''It's definitely not a setback,'' the 19-year-old said. ''I take every loss as a new beginning. It teaches me a lot.

''I'm going to go back on the court and I'm going to work.

I'm going to keep working until I get better at those things.

''Sometimes talk is cheap. It's a matter of going out and doing it. In a few days I'll be back on the practice courts and that's what it's all about.'' Sharapova was outplayed tactically by Mauresmo in the third set and unforced errors cost her dearly.

''I just made a lot of errors coming in,'' said the Russian.

''She forced me to come in, forced me to hit a good approach shot, tried to make me hit a good volley.

''Obviously there's a lot of things that I'm going to need to improve to beat the top players. It shows when you play against top players.'' Asked what she planned to do now she was out of the tournament, Sharapova's eyes brightened.

''I'm going to head out to (clothing retailer) Top Shop tomorrow,'' she said. ''I'm going to go on a shopping spree. I look forward to that every single year.'' Reuters DH VP0045