Five-time major winner Maria Sharapova is known for pushing the boundaries on the tennis court.

Today, as she faced Ash Barty at the Australian Open, was no different.

To begin with, Sharapova entered the court without acknowledging her 22-year-old Australian opponent.

After Sharapova won the first set, Barty made a comeback and absolutelysmashedit, winning the second set to set up a third set decider.

So Sharapova pulled out an old scare tactic.

The 31-year-old Russian tennis star took asevenminute bathroom break.

It might seem innocent enough to those unfamiliar with the intimidation techniques used in tennis, and although within the rules of tennis, it was clear from the crowd’s loud boos that it wasn’t in keeping with the spirit of the game. A tirade of tweets also criticised the move.

Sharapova 7 minute bathroom break!! #ThatsCheating #ausopen #BartySharapova

— ⅅᎯℰℕℰℛᎽЅ (@daenerys_1) January 20, 2019

I mean how much bathroom time does Ms Sharapova need before tournament nutritionists start tapping on the cubicle door with a dose of salts in hand…

— Matt Webber (@MattWebberWrite) January 20, 2019

6 min illegal break by Sharapova trying to break Ash Barty’s rhythm. She is a cheater in every possible sense of the word. #AusOpen

— Soman Chainani (@SomanChainani) January 20, 2019

Sharapova is a cheat. This is pure tactics to quell momentum. #AusOpen19

— Andrew Eales (@edeales) January 20, 2019

This is pathetic. Blatant attempt to disrupt Barty #ausopen

— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) January 20, 2019

But with a mountain of support behind Barty, it was clear that Sharapova wouldn’t get away with it.

And she didn’t.

Barty defeated Sharapova 4-6 6-1 6-4, and became the first Australian woman since Jelena Dokic in 2009 to make it to the second week of the home slam.

The 22-year-old, who is currently ranked 15 in the world, will be challenging Petra Kvitova on Tuesday in the quarter finals.

Her achievements in the tennis world have been sensational, her passion for the game clear and in the past weeks, Barty has been celebrated for her refreshing attitude.

“When I am playing well I’m really enjoying myself out on court and that is all I can ask of every match,” she said on Wednesday after she won against Chinese player Wang Yafan in the second round. “If I win it’s a bonus.”

“If I lose, the sun still comes up the next day and it’s all good.”

Ash Barty is Australia’s number 1 women’s tennis player.