US OPEN: Maria Sharapova Knocked Out, Venus Williams Advances

Maria Sharapova’s Grand Slam return after a 15-month doping ban ended on Sunday with a 5-7 6-4 6-2 defeat to 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova at the US Open.

30-year-old Sharapova who returned from her suspension in April, was snubbed for a French Open wildcard and missed Wimbledon with a thigh injury but had been granted a wild card to compete in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

And she had impressed in the early rounds including knocking out second seed Simona Halep.

After winning the first set against Sevastova, the Russian’s consistency let her down with a massive 51 unforced errors to only 14 by Sevastova, whose 21 winners were half the 30-year-old Sharapova’s total.

But the former world No 1 considered the loss as a major step in her comeback.
“It’s great to get that major out of the way,” Sharapova said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity. I did my best and I can be proud of that.”

Sharapova is expected to jump from 146th to around 100th in the world rankings.

Latvian Sevastova will now face American Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals after winning on her fourth match point.

Meanwhile, US ninth seed Venus Williams is seeking her eighth Grand Slam title and third US Open crown after the American defeated Spain’s 35th-ranked Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 on Sunday.

She booked a Tuesday fight for a semifinal spot against Czech 13th seed Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon winner who defeated Spanish third seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.