Defending Champion Sharapova Loses At French Open
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PARIS (AP) -- Defending champion Maria Sharapova lost to 13th-seeded Lucie Safarova 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday.
It is the second-seeded Sharapova's earliest defeat at Roland Garros since 2010, when she was beaten in the third round. Since then, the Russian won the clay-court Grand Slam tournament in 2012 and 2014, was the runner-up once and reached the semifinals once.
Coughing between points on an overcast day, Sharapova allowed Safarova to dictate much of the action. Safarova wound up with a considerable edge in winners, 34-20, including forehands on the last two points.
In her first French Open quarterfinal, Safarova will face No. 21 Garbine Muguruza, who beat No. 28 Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-4.
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