Sharapova beaten at French Open - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Sharapova beaten at French Open

Top seed Maria Sharapova was a shock casualty on the ninth day of the French Open after crashing out in the last 16 against fellow Russian Dinara Safina.

Sharapova, playing in her first tournament since her elevation to world number one following the retirement of Justine Henin, claimed the opening set on a tie-break only to lose her way in the match and fell to a 6-7 7-6 6-2 loss in two hours and 52 minutes.

Safina, the 13th seed, will now face another Russian, Elena Dementieva, for a place in the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

Dementieva clinched her place in the last eight with a hard-fought win over compatriot Vera Zvonareva.

Seventh seed Dementieva took the early initiative but let her lead slip before rallying in the third to claim a 6-4 1-6 6-2 victory.

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