Fatigued Sharapova considers time away from the court

A jaded Maria Sharapova said she might take another break from the game after being beaten 6-3 5-7 6-2 by fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznet-sova in the semi-finals of the Pacific Life Open on Friday.

The Australian Open champion took a brief holiday earlier this month after realising she had clocked just under 50,000 miles since the start of the year and hinted she might skip this week's Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

"I'm playing a lot of tennis, been flying a lot," the 20-year-old said after her winning streak of 18 matches this season was ended by Kuznetsova.

"It's pretty much been non-stop with all the tournaments I've been playing, and the Fed Cup as well.

"It takes a toll on your body and your mind as well."

Sharapova jetted into Israel for the Fed Cup immediately after her Australian Open triumph in January.

After a short break, she travelled to Doha where she won her 18th WTA title before having to withdraw from Dubai three weeks ago because of a viral illness.