MARIA Sharapova's camp has taken the unprecedented step of preparing for the squeaky footwork of rival Ana Ivanovic.
The Russian's hit-up partner Michael Joyce spent 30 minutes loudly shuffling his feet yesterday in the final practice session before today's "Shriek v Squeak" women's final.
Joyce squeaked loudest as Sharapova was about to serve, in an obvious ploy to simulate match conditions.Ivanovic is entering the final amid a cheating cloud, sparked by vanquished semi-final opponent Daniela Hantuchova.
A furious Hantuchova complained to the umpire about Ivanovic's tactic of loudly squeaking her shoes to put off the server.
"That's ridiculous, I think," Hantuchova said after the match. "I was really surprised with that. I think it's unfair. It's a distraction to the server.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23110687-11088,00.html "I don't think that was very nice."