Maria Sharapova was defeated after two rounds of Wimbledon for the second year in a row after falling to Gisela Dulko 6-2 3-6 6-4 at this year’s event.
Sharapova is ranked only 60th in the world, lower than Dulko who is No.45, but the Russian was seeded 24th at Wimbledon, privileged because of her status of a former champion, while Dulko was unseeded, so the Argentinean’s victory is an upset.
Sharapova won seven consecutive games during one stretch, and saved four match points in a 14-point final game, but hit one easy forehand long and fell on Dulko’s fifth match point.
Dulko had won only three games against Sharapova in their previous two meetings, but today she improved that stat and made Sharapova fall to 6-1 this year in three-set matches.
Dulko now faces another Russian in her next match, tenth seed Nadia Petrova.
Other notable results of day three include the defeat of the 2008 Wimbledon sensational semifinalist Zheng Jie, who fell to Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 7-5. Second seed Serena Williams lost only three games in her second-round match with Jarmila Groth. Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka double bageled Ioana Raluca Olaru, while seed No.14 Dominika Cibulkova and seed No.26 Virginie Razzano also progressed. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)
Gisela Dulko is a great player…was not easy for Maria.
But she is back, she is champion…and, give a little time and Maria is gonna be MARIA again!!!
Now, she need to rest and go to USO series…
Maria is not dead…she is more alive that a lot of people think!!!
C’mon Maria…you’re amazing!!!!
I don’t think anyone sees Maria as dead. Actually, her comeback has been marvelous, despite this second-round defeat.
She is still competitive.
Hantuchova surprising Zheng, good for Dani.
“Azarenka double bagel Olaru”, and Cirstea defeating Mirza. I’m looking forward for the third round between Azarenka and Cirstea, it is going to be a good match. I think Azarenka will come out on top. I haven’t seen Cirstea play in this tournament and I would like to know if she is playing a high level of tennis as she did at RG, if she is then I think she is going to be a future top ten player; from what I saw at RG Cirstea has better game than Wozniacki.
I had Sharapova beating Petrova and losing to Azarenka in the fourth round. I’ll see how Sharapova does in the hard courts.
Woo! Yeah Gisela for taking down Maria! I still am annoyed at the fact that they took into account “past” performance, I mean didn’t Maria lose in the 2nd round last year? She was a champ 5 years ago. I mean, if Justine came back what would they rank her? #15? lol. What about Kim? Also, they put her on Center Court and she’s seeded #24, which is favors her clearly over other players- Dementieva was on Court 2 and she’s seeded #4. I know it’s all for TV and money, but still!
Nevertheless, I admit it was a good match to watch, and the points were really spectacular.
I’m so disappointed maria lost!! i’m southamerican but i still was cheering for maria!!
the match was entertaining with good points.. but maria was making a lot of unforced errors in easy ppoints and she is lacking of movement.. if she would had broken in the second game of the third set.. it would has been a different story! i’m happy for gisela she deserves the triumph!!
I think why they put maria sharapova on center court and not Elena dementieva even she’s seeded #4, because the marketing.
Maybe more people bought the ticket to see maria sharapova than to watch elene dementieva even she’s seeded #4. Ranking doesn’t mean much in marketing guys. Popularity is.
and I think gisella deserves to win that much. She’s better player now than years before when maria defeated her. She’s trough roland garros quarter final this year.
Also maria come back still great. I think she’s need more times, more tournaments. Can’t wait to see her back on top ten wta tour rankings.
I think she did great in the comeback. I mean what do they expect?! Maria will win all the matches. Come to think of it Maria admitted she might not be able to win any tournament that soon. She’s glad that she’s playing rather than staying bummed. By the way, who’s the other guy on her team other than Michael Joyce? First time I’ve seen him with Maria’s coach.
Unfortunately, it is not an upset. Maria won Wimby when she was 17 in 2004; it is 2009, and three calendar years and Wimby in spite of her career halting shoulder injury, still decided to sacrifice Bondarenko for her. Maria is an undisputed champion, but you can’t argue against the fact that her form has been dented via the injury and that she is PRESENTLY NOT ON TOP. This is NOT A NEGATIVE CRITIQUE, just the fact that Masha fans HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AND BE PATIENT FOR HER RETURN TO TOP FORM- WHICH SHE WILL DEFINETELY ACHIEVE, Thus claiming it is an ‘upset’ is ridiculous.
I feel happy for Sharapova even coming back and playing
She got too the q-finals at the french now that is amazing for only her second tournament back
I feel sharapova should of easily won this match she had a chance to break at the final game but hit a backhand into the net that was what killed the match for me
But she stil was fighting and that is one thing this injury has not haltered is her fighting spirit!
The hardcourts will be more better for her as she will get her form back!
so, i didnt know kirilenko grunts!?
Vera Zvonareva, Elena Dementieva, Serena Williams, and Justine Henin have some nice words for Maria. And they all say the same thing — it takes time after coming off an injury.
What Maria has achieved since coming back is amazing. I love you Maria, good luck.