Maria Sharapova was fined $2,000 after her father allegeldy coached her from the sidelines during her Australian Open quarter-final win over Anna Chakvetadze, Australian Open officials said yesterday.

World's number two tennis player Maria Sharapova, 19, received the fine after getting a code violation from Portuguese umpire Mariana Alves during Wednesday's match because of her father Yuri Sharapov's behaviour, Women's Tennis Association official said.

Sharapova has repeatedly defended her father's demonstrative and vocal style as he watches her play. She denied he coaches her using hand signals from the players' box which is officially prohibited.

Sharapova's opponents have argued Yuri has indulged in it for years. He was accused of yelling out to distract Justine Henin-Hardenne during Maria's semi-final appearance at Australian Open last year.

Sharapova said that she had not been paying any attention to her father because she was focused on beating Chakvetadze.

"I didn't see anything, I didn't even look at him," Maria said.

Officials at the Australian Open may be keeping a close eye on Maria Sharapova's entourage this year.