Maria Sharapova slips on clay

Stuttgart (Germany): Three-time defending Stuttgart champion Maria Sharapova lost her opening claycourt match of the season Thursday, going down 6-2, 5-7, 1-6 to Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the German city. The defeat was Sharapova’s first at the venue after sweeping to the title in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on the back of 13 successive wins.

 

It also means the French Open champion will lose her World No.2 ranking to Simona Halep next week.

The defeat for 28-year-old Sharapova ended a seven-year streak of 64 successive wins on clay after securing the first set. Kerber, the World No.14, will face Sharapova’s Russian compatriot Ekaterina Makarova in the quarterfinals.Sharapova, who skipped Russia’s Fed Cup semifinal win over Germany with a leg injury last weekend, was on course for a comfortable win at one stage, leading by a set and 5-4. But Kerber won three games in a row to sneak the second set 7-5 before eventually taking victory after two hours and 27 minutes.

 

Sharapova finished with 44 winners to 40 unforced errors while Kerber was 22-20.“We both played very well, high-level tennis. It felt amazing out there. The crowd was so supportive of both of us. I was a little bit tired in the second set but when I heard the crowd I was fighting until the last point,” Kerber said. Caroline Wozniacki defeated Czech veteran Lucie Safarova 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

 

 

Reigning champion Kei Nishikori moved into the semifinal of the Barcelona Open with 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday. The Japanese is favourite to retain his title and impressively romped through the deciding set after being forced all the way for the first time. Nishikori eased through the first set after breaking in the first game.