Wuhan: Fourth seed Maria Sharapova crashed out of the $2.4 million WTA Wuhan Open in two sets Wednesday, while Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and world number eight Angelique Kerber made the quarter-finals.
Sharapova was defeated by Timea Bacsinszky in a tight game, losing 7-6 (3) 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, you know, times in the match where I did everything right for the first few balls and then didn’t execute in the points,” Sharapova said.
“I think I always allowed her to get another ball back and to make me play another ball. Then obviously that didn’t help me, because I was making more mistakes.”
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.
Czech third seed Kvitova defeated compatriot Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to seal her place in the last eight. (UNI)