Sharapova becomes latest casualty at Wuhan

World number four goes down to Swiss qualifier in third round.

WUHAN:

Fourth seed Maria Sharapova crashed out of the $2.4 million WTA Wuhan Open in two sets on Wednesday, while Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and world number eight Angelique Kerber made it to the quarter-finals.

Sharapova was defeated by Swiss qualifier Timea Bacsinszky in a tight game, losing the first set at the tie break and the second 7-5 — a result which broke the hearts of the local crowd who were supporting the Russian world number four.

“There were a lot of times in the match where I did everything right for the first few balls and then didn’t execute in the points,” said Sharapova.

“I think I always allowed her [Bacsinszky] to get another ball back and to make me play another ball.”

The tournament has already suffered the loss of a string of seeds, including world number one Serena Williams, and local hero Li Na announced her retirement days before it started.

Meanwhile, Czech third seed Kvitova defeated compatriot Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to seal her place in the last eight, as seventh seed Kerber crushed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-1.

“I played a very good match,” said Kerber. “It was tough, because Zahlavova is a great player and she played very well.

In other matches, French players Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet also made it through to the quarter-finals.

Spaniard Garbine Muguruza suffered a miserable afternoon after she withdrew from her third-round match with gastritis before a ball was hit. Her opponent, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, will meet Kerber in the quarters.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2014.

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