Sharapova, Serena set up bitter rivalry

London: Maria Sharapova tore into Wimbledon rival Serena Williams on the eve of the Championships, setting the tone for a tournament likely to be dominated by their unseemly public row. The Russian blasted the defending champion for her controversial comments over a high-profile rape case and even ripped into the American's colourful private life. In the astonishing attack on the World No. 1, Sharapova told Williams to keep her opinions to herself, laying bare the bitter relationship between the two. "She should be talking about her accomplishments, her achievements, rather than everything else that's just getting attention and controversy," said Sharapova. The World No. 3, who has not beaten her great rival since 2004, also criticised Williams's love life after the American had aimed a thinly-disguised jibe at the Russian's affair with Bulgarian player, Grigor Dimitrov - believed to be a former Williams boyfriend. "There are people who live, breathe and dress tennis. I mean, seriously, give it a rest," Williams told Rolling Stone magazine without naming Sharapova.