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Sharapova crashes out of Wimbledon

Sharapova crashes out of Wimbledon
June 26 / 2008 / 6:52 PM
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Maria Sharapova suffered a humiliating second round exit at Wimbledon on Thursday as the former champion was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by fellow Russian and world number 154 Alla Kudryavtseva.

Sharapova, the third seed, tumbled out of the tournament she won in 2004 after a lacklustre display on Court One.

The pin-up of the women's game had reached at least the fourth round on all five of her previous visits to the All England Club, but she could have no complaints after being over-powered by her compatriot, who now plays China's Peng Shuai.

It was the performance of a lifetime from Kudryavtseva. She has never been past the third round of a Grand Slam and this was only her second singles victory at Wimbledon.

But for Sharapova it was an hour and 23 minutes of misery and a another crushing disappointment after her fourth round defeat to Dinara Safina at the French Open.

Sharapova, once again playing in her 'tuxedo' top and shorts combo, found it hard to get into her stride from the start and had to save a break point in her second service game.

If that was a warning that Sharapova shouldn't take Kudryavtseva lightly, she didn't heed it.

Pressured by her compatriot's huge groundstrokes, the Australian Open champion was completely out of sorts and three double faults in the sixth game saw her fall 4-2 behind.

Kudryavtseva, 20, was growing in confidence and Sharapova, who had won their only previous meeting at the French Open last year, could muster little response.

Another wayward shot from Sharapova gave Kudryavtseva her first set point and she wasted no time converting it.

Sharapova needed a quick break to get back into the match in the second set and she got exactly that in the first game when a return on break point glanced off the net and trickled over.

But not even that stroke of luck could galvanise Sharapova and another double fault gave Kudryavtseva a break back.

When Sharapova berated herself after sending a forehand wide midway through the set, it was as if she could sense her impending demise. Kudryavtseva went for the kill and a perfect forehand earned a 4-2 lead.

With the match slipping out of reach, Sharapova managed to summon up a break back. Still she didn't wake from her slumber and another double fault gave Kudryavtseva a match point, which she took with one last crushing forehand.
Rate this article: 2.6/5 (5 votes cast)

i stiil believe in you.You have a lot of fans.There are a lot of people who really believe in you.
by irene on July 30 / 2008 / 12:57 PM
Hi maria you is the best of the world good luck in the next tournament in Montreal
;)
by fernando on July 22 / 2008 / 10:08 PM
Maria you're such an idol!! you're my inspiration and I hope i can meet you in person.. Wow!! I really wish I could be like you. And maybe achieve like you... Amazing!! Go Gal!!
by Cielo on July 18 / 2008 / 2:09 PM
Don't worry, Maria and... give to every single day of your life the chance to be the best one.
A big hug,
Paolo
by Paolo Stella on July 07 / 2008 / 12:22 PM
PLEASE DELETE THAT TERRIBLE COMMENT NO.19!!HEY MARIA UR GAME WAS HOPELESS BUT STILL I LOVE U!!SUCH PHASES DO COME BUT DONT LOSE HOPE!BEST OF LUCK!!!LOVE U ALOT SUPER STAR!!
by hajraaa on July 02 / 2008 / 4:46 PM
First of all, COULD YOU PLEASE DELETE THE TERRIBLE COMMENT #19 FROM HIRO! Hey Maria, i'm deeply sad too about your loss and that your good Wimbledon record got mess up! The number of DF and UE in every match has been alarming for your fans. I don't know why. It is because your right shoulder is still injured? I hope not. Always take good care of your health Maria, that is a very important asset in winning. Train even harder especially now that it seems like you won't have enough preparation for the last Slam of the year - Tier I here and Olympics there. I hope you won't get exhausted. Furthermore, you really don't have to pay much attention in fashion rather concentrate on improving your game, because you always looks good on whatever dress you wear and we will all be supporting you! God bless you, Maria!
by SEF on July 01 / 2008 / 9:15 AM
Wimbledone 2008 Dear Maria It*s been two months since the WTA incident.You then asked your fans for their opinion,what to do and how to go on.That was the right decision to make,knowing how narrow-minded characters are those from the WTA red-tape.I think the time has come for us,fans,to say something about your unfortunately poor performances lately.I shall try to add my modest contribution to the whole situation.Masha,you are not in your prime.I see that,and all of us who have been supporting you and who love your with all our hearts.Bad things are happening.We cannot wait to see you in one of the tournaments.Especially Grand-Slam.The time break between regular tournaments is between 14 to 20 days,in proximity.Sometimes more.For a Grand-Slam it takes months.When we finally see the day of such a tournament we expect to see you in 90% of the cases in finals.I,personally,expect to see you every time in finals of any tournament and to triumph.Unfortunately it has not happened in the last months.When your won the Australia Open ,I believed this would be your year,that you would not face any problems at Rolland Garros,nor at Wimbledon,that you would win all four Grand-Slams.Unfortunately,you have stumbled in the early phase of both tournaments,Rolland Garros and Wimbledone.I hope that everything would be all right at the Olympics and the US-OPEN .I hope.But let*s go back to Rolland Garros ,and especially Wimbledone.What is happening,Maria?What I am personally curious about is where do so many double service faults come from?I can understand that it happens for a month of two,but this has been going on in continuity for a longer period of time.At Rolland Garros you have made in four matches about 40 double service faults??????This is impossible and incomprehensible.What seems to be the reason for it?Mother of God,what has gone wrong?Your are 1,88 cm tall,hence predisposed for an extremely strong and precise service.But what I have been watching is completly opposite to me expectations. I simply cannot believe.I cannot think of any tennis player who makes so many douple service faults per match.Is it not possible to overcome such problem by three to four months strenuous training?What have your trainers been doing?I shall be candid and also say this:I was flaberghasted by the indolence of your expert team,when you played a match against Kudravceva.They watched the match as if it had not been of their concern.As if your had been scoring 6:0 first set,and 3:0 the second,as if you had been playing perfectly,and there had been no reason to panic.Why such attitude?Their indolence banged against your head,showing great irresponsibility of your expert team.I wrote in my comments long ago that you had all predispositions for the strongest and most precise service,stronger that sister Williams*and Ana Ivanovic.It*s your hight that gives me the right to thing likewise.And your tennis talent,which is without limits.Your hight can be used only by a great expert,who would reveal you the secret of a good and strong service.And I personally believe that Michael Joyce does not belong to such elite.Otherwise you would not face so many service problems,and in the past three years you should have collected,under his guidance,at least 7-8 Grand-Slam titles.You have only got two(US-OPEN and A.O,not including Wimbledon 2004 when you were trained by Robert Lantrop).No tennis expert can convince me that sister Williams and Ana Ivanovic are better talents that you.However,your talent has been underused.It has to change in the future.Maria,your are 21 and it high time you started winning tournaments without interruptions,that is in continuity.But with an expert who would care for your carreer and your success,who would not be indolen to your bad performance.You need a trainer who would be your best friend out of tennis court,and on tennis court and when your train your worst enemy,hypothetically speaking.I think that Michael Joyce,with all due respect,is not a good trainer,and there are a lot better experts.If you have had enough of tennis,withdraw for some time,think it over,then come back refreshed ready for new victories.Your withdrawing would be a hard blow for me,since tennis without you is one great nothing.With you it makes sense.But if itwould be for your good than I could handle the blow.Personally I believe you should change the trainer, since,as I said before,Michael Joyce is not the best expert.Sometimes I think Good itself sends us two Marias,the one as in Australian Open and FED CUP in Israel,and this Maria.I wish I could walk trough the time gate and watch the excellent Maria,the faultless Maria.I live in hope that my wish would come true,and I would see the invincible Maria.To you and your fans worldwide many greetings from the Republic of Srpska and your Zoran.Respectfully and good luck!
by ZORANG on June 30 / 2008 / 8:03 PM
iloveu sharapova plz call me 002130773834487
by khatib on June 30 / 2008 / 5:22 PM
OK THEN WOTEVA
by cheryl brigham on June 29 / 2008 / 6:37 AM
Hey Maria, Sorry I missed your game. I was traveling. I like to see you win or loose. Look, they will always be tomorrow. I liked you interview. I know you are hard on yourself, but you said it, it is only a tennis match. You have so much to be proud of and just look what you have accomplished so far this year. Here is look at you kid.
by Jack on June 28 / 2008 / 12:36 PM
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