Maria Sharapova‘s successful comeback to the US Open ended in the fourth round at the hands of Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in their first meeting.
After stunningly eliminating world No.2 Simona Halep in the first round and then winning two more matches, against Timea Babos and Sofia Kenin, the former world No.1 Sharapova ensured a return to the Top 100, from her current ranking of No.146, but her progress was stopped by the 16th-seeded Sevastova, who has now defended her last year’s quarterfinal points.
Playing her first Grand Slam tournament in 19 months, wildcard Sharapova earned a 4-1 lead in the first set. The 27-year-old Sevastova came close to taking the set after recovering from the deficit, but the Russian stole the set with two amazing forehands in the 12th game. A single break in the second set was enough for Sevastova to force a decider, in which she quickly went 3-0 up, eventually winning the match by mixing up her shots and producing mighty defense. Final result: 5-7 6-4 6-2.
Since the encounter happened in the day session, Sharapova retains the perfect 20-0 record in night matches at the US Open.
Until last year’s run to the last eight, Sevastova had not contested the US Open main draw since 2011, as she fell in qualifying in 2012 and 2015, while she missed the event in 2013 and 2014 due to retirement from tour.
Next up for Sevastova is American Sloane Stephens, who has now won 12 of her last 14 matches with the fourth-round victory over seed No.30 Julia Goerges.
This has been Sharapova’s pattern at most of the slams over the past years. She races through the first few rounds to get tripped up at the 4th round or quarterfinals.
Bruce Fraser, it’s been proven Maria was not using the drug for health reasons…just google the info. That’s why she got the ban and lost her appeal. She and her team got the emails about Meldonium being banned, so she is guilty of just what was proven (hint: doping). Therefore, Maria who????? Glad she got dismissed today by Sevastova. “Go, Sevastova! Congrats to you, Sloane, and Venus on your win!!” #VENUSWILLIAMS:LIVINGLEGEND!
Thank god.
Sloane Stephen’s run has also been amazing, I’m so happy for her comeback! Will be hard to root for one of them in their match.
Does anyone believe she was using Meldonium for “health reasons”?
Obviously, it doesn’t work out that well without Meldonium…. Congrats to Sevastova, Sloane, Venus the Legend!
Obviously, she doesn’t need Meldonium to proof everyone that she is still a strong player and could reach 4th Round as she had performed in the past slams…..
Congratulations on a great run for your first slam!! It is not easy to win a slam on your first major after a while…not Azarenka, Kvitova and even Serena….. Getting to the second week and beating no.2 in the world in such an achievement and I congrats you Maria … and to those who doesn’t know who…it’s Maria S…H…A…R…A…P..O…V…A… ,
No hope without dope for Maria!
I think Maria will do well next year. Hoping she’ll be healthier and injury free.
Good one, Sabey! Love it! Wake up from your slumber, Ferondi. Again, Maria who?????? She gets the “L”…the dream is over. She’ll never reach Serena’s level of play or anything near her accomplishments, N-E-V-E-R!! How about that other living legend, Venus Williams? The phenomenal 37-year-old just dismissed my girl Kvitova to reach the semi-final. Simply amazing! “Sorry, Petra, but I was cheering for Venus this time around.”
Claire, I love your response as well! Indeed, we all are witnessing how poorly Maria who? plays without her crutch drug. And then to lie repeatedly when questioned is what made me lose all respect for her.