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Maria Sharapova's tumultuous defeat on Centre Court today proved just how far she has fallen following her shoulder injury.
The 22-year-old lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to world No45 Gisela Dulko of Argentina, a player she had beaten twice before for the total loss of just three games.
Sharapova deserves credit for battling back from a set and 3-0 down but she only sporadically found her best game, the one that has taken her to three grand slam titles including the 2004 title here.
But Dulko ultimately held her nerve to come through in two hours and 13 minutes and the
24-year-old said: “I think it's the biggest win of my career because it's on Centre Court in the most important tournament in the world. To beat a former champion here is just a great day for me.
“I was really nervous at the end and I wanted to finish it there. She is very competitive to the end but I am very happy.”
The Russian seemed down and out but a feature of her run to the French Open quarter-finals was an admirable ability to defy adversity and while Dulko began to tighten up in the second set, Sharapova took seven straight games as she found her mark with some fierce returning.
The pair exchanged early breaks in the final set before Dulko broke again and in a hugely dramatic final game Sharapova saved four match points — and wasted one break point — before an errant forehand sealed her fate.
Daniel Hantuchova, who defeated Britain's Laura Robson on Monday, beat Chinese No16 seed Jie Zheng 6-3, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Japans's Ai Sugiyama.
On the men's side, No4 seed Novak Djokovic beat Simon Gruel of Germany 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 but
18th seed Rainier Schuttler lost to Dedi Sela of Israel 7-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Reader views (1)
Thank goodness we wont have to put up with the grunting for the remainder of the fortnight. Hope other grunters are eliminated speedily.
- Dhan Raj, basildon, 24/06/2009 17:12
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