Maria Sharapova's dream of the US Open title ended on Sunday when Anastasija Sevastova slammed the door on the Russian tennis heavyweight’s wildcard shot.
The spotlight was on Sharapova after returning from a 15-month doping ban, being granted a US Open wildcard and then starting off with a dazzling first round and staying in the second.
The former world No.1 hoped to disprove critics who felt her open run wouldn’t last but instead bowed out to 16th seeded Sevastova, who defeated her 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium and secured a spot in the semi-finals.
“I allowed the match to become physical,” Sharapova told the New York Post.
“I don’t think I played as aggressive or was stepping in as much as I did in the first set.”
Sharapova added that her opponent had variety to her play and that, along with her confidence, was fatal.
“She wins a few of those rallies, and all of a sudden momentum changes.”
Sharapova has faced a challenging few months, first dealing with a drug ban after being tested positive for meldonium last year, then being plagued by injury.
Adding to her frustrations, Sharapova has had a fair share of criticism from fellow athletes and coaches.
Most recently, the Russian athlete came under fire when Serena Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, slammed her for using performance enhancing drugs before proceeding to attack her performance, saying Sharapova could “lose to anyone now.”
Meanwhile, Venus Williams is riding on the momentum of her 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 fourth-round win over Carla Suarez Navarro and closing in on the winning title.
This is the second time in three years that the 37-year-old has reached the quarter finals, which will pit Venus Williams against Petra Kvitova at Flushing Meadows
Speaking about her opponent, Venus Williams told The Guardian that “to be playing well is such a blessing.”
“To be able to come out here and do what she needs to do, to clear her head, it’s such a beautiful thing to see.”
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