Four-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova made 60 unforced errors in her second-round defeat to Stephens. PHOTO: REUTERS
Stephens rallied to beat the world number three from Russia 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, bringing Sharapova’s return from injury to an abrupt end in this combined WTA and ATP Masters hardcourt tournament.
Sharapova was making her return to tennis seven weeks after her last match, a shock second-round Wimbledon defeat.
Since then she had sacked her coach and begun working with Jimmy Connors, all while she battled to get over a hip injury.
A nervous Stephens, who stunned Serena Williams at the Australian Open, double-faulted on two match points before finally claiming victory on the third.
“I started the match off pretty well, but when you put yourself in a really good position you can’t let it go,” said Sharapova. “That’s what I did tonight. I didn’t continue what I was doing well for the first set and a half, and that hurt me.
“I stopped being patient, I started making a lot more errors, especially off the first ball. Just errors that I shouldn’t make.”
Meanwhile, second-seed Victoria Azarenka reached the third round, beating American Vania King 6-1, 7-6 (8/6).
Former number one Caroline Wozniacki defeated China’s Peng Shuai 6-1, 6-1 while Jelena Jankovic, world number 14, spoiled the return to action of Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-2.
Federer through to third round
In the men’s event, Roger Federer made a smooth comeback after dealing with back pain in recent weeks.
The five-time champion, who is defending the title and needs as many matches as possible before the August 26 start of the US Open, won his seventh career match against German friend Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
The fifth-ranked Swiss felt in his element as he played the tournament for the 13th time, improving his record to 31-10 this season.
“I think it was a match where I had to sort of just fight to come through and hope to get over the finish line,” said Federer. “I was playing really well at times, and then sometimes it was maybe a bit up and down.
“Assessing the performance overall, I’m very happy. It’s good to be back and playing pain free. I don’t know, my mind’s good. I was in a good place while I was playing, so it felt nice to win at the end.”
Spanish third-seed David Ferrer joined Federer in the third round with a 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-4 victory over American Ryan Harrison.
Montreal finalist Milos Raonic struggled in the opening set against Jack Sock, but found his rhythm for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win and a date with Janko Tipsarevic.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2013.
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