Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova Eliminated in the First Round of 2018 Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova during the 2018 Wimbledon first round. Photo by James Gourley/Shutterstock

2018 Wimbledon delivered its first shocks on Tuesday, when Maria Sharapova, 2004 Wimbledon winner, was eliminated in the first round of the tournament by fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko. Two times Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was also handed an early exit by Belarus Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Sharapova won the first set 7-6(3), but then lost the following two 6-7(3), 4-6. This was the first time that Maria Sharapova lost in the first round of Wimbledon, being 13-0 so far. It was also the first time since the 2010 Australian Open that she lost an opening round of a major tournament.

I definitely had several chances in the match,” – said Sharapova in a news conference after the match. “Although not playing my best tennis, I opened up a few doors and was a couple points away from winning this match.”

Sometimes you put yourself in a better or winning position, and you don’t finish through. That was the case today.” – she added.

Entering the 2018 Wimbledon, Maria Sharapova was ranked 22nd on WTA Singles rankings, while Vitalia Diatchenko was 122nd, which makes Sharapova’s loss even more surprising. Diatchenko will now face American Sofia Kenin, who is currently ranked 76th, in the second round of the tournament.

Another surprise was delivered by Aliaksandra Sasnovich, ranked 50th in the world, who managed to defeat 7th ranked Petra Kvitova 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. Before the start of 2018 Wimbledon, Kvitova had a tour-leading 38 victories this season.

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