TENNIS – Angelique Kerber fought back from a set down to upset three-time Stuttgart defending champion Maria Sharapova with 2-6 7-5 6-1. Sharapova suffered her first ever defeat in the German tournament Diego Sampaolo
Sharapova, who held a 13-0 match record in this tournament, reeled off four consecutive games to win the first set with 6-2 after 25 minutes. Both players broke serve at the start of the match. Sharapova saved two break points before breaking for 4-2 en route to winning the first set with 6-2
Sharapova faced just one break point in the second set which she saved and came close to winning the match at 5-4.
Both players held serve until Kerber earned a break point in the 11th game. Kerber, who won seven consecutive matches including her recent title in Charleston, converted it take the 6-5 lead before holding her serve to clinch the second set with 7-5. Both players traded breaks in the first two games of the decider before the German hit winners en route to clinching the third set with 6-1 after two hours and 27 minutes.
Kerber hit 22 winners to 20 unforced errors, while Sharapova produced 44 winners to 40 unforced errors. Kerber won 104 points to Sharapova’s 100.
“We both played very well. It felt amazing out there. The crowd was so supportive of both of us. I was a little bit tired but when I heard the crowd I was fighting until the last point. It was amazing to feel the support from all the fans here at home. It’s a special tournament for me to play at home and in front of all my family and friends. It’s my favourite tournament”, said Kerber
Kerber will take on Ekaterina Makarova who cruised past Marina Melnikova 6-2 6-3.
Sharapova was not the only seed to be knocked out, as Madison Brengle upset 2014 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-3 7-6 (7-2)
Caroline Wozniacki overcame Lucie Safarova 7-6 (7-5) 6-1. Carla Suarez Navarro continued her excellent season with a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over Belinda Bencic.
Sara Errani followed up her win against Agniewska Radwanska with a 6-4 6-1 win over Zarina Diyas setting up a quarter final against Simona Halep who will overtake Sharapova to return to second place in the WTA Ranking after the Russian star’s defeat in the second round. Sharapova needed to reach the semifinals to defend her second place. Halep qualified for the quarter finals after her 3-6 6-1 6-3 win over Garbine Muguruza.
Caroline Garcia defeated German wildcard Carina Witthoeft 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 to set up her quarter final against Madison Brengle
