PARIS (AFP) - Six times Maria Sharapova has tried to extend her reign over Roland Garros and six times she's failed, but the world's richest sportswoman insists she will keep trying.

The Russian's latest bid to win a French Open, and complete a career Grand Slam, ended in disappointment when she squandered a set and a 5-2 lead, as well as a match point, in losing to compatriot Dinara Safina 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in the fourth round on Monday.

Now she will head for the grasscourts of Wimbledon, where she was champion in 2004, but already determined to make a French Open breakthrough in 2009 and improve on her best performance of a semi-final spot last year.

"The great thing about being a tennis player is that there are some opportunities that you're going to get during the year, and it's really up to you to take those opportunities," said the top seed who had been hoping to fill the void left by the shock retirement of four-time champion Justine Henin.

"You just try to learn from the missed chances and from the missed opportunities.

"I'll be upset for a few hours. But don't get me wrong, I'm going to go back on the court and whatever surface it is, hardcourt, backyard, on the wall, I'm going to work hard and it will eventually pay off."

Sharapova was in bristling form during her post-match press conference where she described one reporter's question as 'pointless' and replied 'boo-hoo' when asked if she was worried by the possibility of losing her world number one ranking.

But she mounted a stirring defence of her on-court demeanour, where her trademark grunts got louder and louder and where she screamed 'choker' at herself when Safina crucially broke to lead 4-2 in the final set.

Many on the Suzanne Lenglen Court jeered as Sharapova made a brisk exit.

"I can't please everyone. It's not in my job description," she said.

"I go out there and fight my heart out. They paid for the ticket to watch me so they must appreciate me on some level."

Source: AFP