Maria Sharapova: Sharapova eliminated from Wimbledon in the first round | Tennis News

LONDON: Maria Sharapova, Wimbledon champion in 2004, was eliminated from the tournament for the first time, beaten at her own game by Russian compatriot Vitalia Diatchenko 6-7 (3) 7-6 (3) 6-4 as the evening shadows sneaked onto Court Two on Tuesday.

Sharapova, 24th seed, managed to stay with the qualifier Diatchenko, who plays with a style similar to that of the back end, thanks to long base rallies and many games for two, hoping that his experience would say it.

Diatchenko, 27, had a medical timeout of 3-3 in the first set for treatment on his side and back. She seemed to be moving well afterwards but reminded the coach in the last set.

The nerves broke when the first set reached its climax and she was unable to find the shots to disturb the Grand Slam winner five times in the tie-break, which Sharapova won with a non-recoverable service.

Sharapova, 31, broke Diatchenko's serve at the start of the second set and appeared to be cruising until his opponent screamed with staggering shots to win three games in a row and bring back the level of the scores.

The young woman was more composed during the second tie-break, getting early minibreaks and winning the set with a big serve that Sharapova has developed.

The two players roared effortlessly exchanging shots and each won some superb winners in the third set.

Sharapova broke twice but each time Diatchenko responded in kind and she concluded an unlikely win in just over three hours when the former champion made a double foul.