Sharapova out of Warsaw open

22nd May 2009

Former world number one Maria Sharapova crashed out of the Warsaw Open on Thursday after being felled at the quarter final stage by the Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko.

Sharapova, making her return after a ten month layoff, won her opening two matches of the tournament, but ran out of steam against Bondarenko, losing 6-2, 6-2. In spite of defeat Sharapova remains confident her recovery is back on track: ‘This is the best preparation I could have had. I played three matches, and spent about three or four hours on the court in good match situations — I couldn't be happier about it’. Bondarenko now faces Britain’s Anne Keothavong in today’s semi final. ...