Sharapova talks Pringles, pillows in Cincinnati

On Monday night in Cincinnati, Maria Sharapova scored a tight win over Alison Riske, 6-3, 7-6 (4), marking her first win since Mallorca in June. The Russian was in good spirits after the much-needed good day in the office, talking Pringles, The Simpsons and pillows.

When asked how her patience has improved after dealing with multiple injuries, the 32-year-old said:

"Let me tell you something: You're never going to find three tennis balls in a Pringles can. So, no, I'm not patient. Patience is not one of my best qualities, but I keep working on it. Tennis makes you keep working on it."

Sharapova is playing in Cincinnati for the first time since 2014, when she reached the semifinals. She's only previously played the Premier 5 four times, winning in 2011.

The five-time Grand slam champion does her best to recreate a comfortable environment on the road, even in Ohio—which she compared to Springfield.

"It's like The Simpsons," she said.

Then the talk turned to bedroom preferences.

Q. You bought a pillow the other day.

"I did."

Q. Wondering what makes a good pillow.

"Consistency. That makes a really good pillow. When you go from hotel to hotel or house to hotel, they're all very different and I just end up leaving them. I think Mason, Ohio—I keep Bed Bath & Beyond in business with the amount of pillows that I buy here."

Sharapova will hope to use her new pillow for a few more days as she tries to stay alive in the Western & Southern Open draw. Her work will be cut out for her against top seed Ashleigh Barty.